Information Sheet on Declawing and Tooth· Removal (Issued in August 2006)

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USDA Information Sheet on Declawing and Tooth· Removal (Issued in August 2006)

Declawing or the removal ofthe canine teeth (fangs) in wild or exotic carnivores or nonhuman primates is no longer considered to be appropriate veterinary care unless prescribed by the attending veterinarian for treatment ofindividual medical problems ofthe paws or teeth. These procedures are no longer considered to be acceptable when performed solely for handling or husbandry purposes since they can cause considerable pain and discomfort to the animal and may result in chronic health problems. These procedures are no longer allowed under the Animal Welfare Act. This notice is consistent with the current position statement issued by the American Veterinary Medical Association. L.- -'-__-J

What animals does this apply to? This applies to all regulated nonhuman primates and captive wild or exotic carnivores, including, but not limited to, big cats, canid species, and bears.

Who does this apply to? This policy applies to all AWA licensees (breeders, dealers, and exhibitors) and registrants (research facilities).

What does this mean to the licensee or registrant?

All AWA licensees must no longer routinely perform these procedures (declawing and removal ofcanine teeth) on their wild or exotic carnivores and nonhuman primates. Continuing to routinely use these procedures may subject the licensee to citation for noncompliance with the AWA, and may result in enforcement action. Treatment ofindividual animals with documented medical problems as prescribed by the attending veterinarian is not subject to these restrictions. Registrants may use such procedures only as part ofa research protocol that has been reviewed and approved by the IACUC at the institution.

What about animals have already been declawed or defanged?

Facilities with animals that have been subjected to these procedures prior to the issuance date ofthis notification will not be found in noncompliance with this provision since these procedures cannot be undone.

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Subject: Veterinary Care: Policy #3 Expired Medical Materials Pharmaceutical-Grade Compounds in Research Surgery Pre- and Post- Procedural Care Program ofVeterinary Care Declawing and Defanging Practices in Wild or Exotic Carnivores or Nonhuman Primates Health Records Euthanasia

References: AWA Section 2143 9 CFR, Part 2, Sections 2.31, 2.32, 2.33, 2.40; 9 CFR, Part 3, Section 3.110

History: Provides requested guidance. Replaces memoranda dated May 31, 1990, November 29, 1991, April 6, 1992, and September 25, 1992. Replaces policies dated April 14, 1997, January 14, 2000, and August 18, 2006, to update the section regarding declawing and defanging practices used in wild or exotic carnivores or nonhuman primates.

Justification: The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) requires that all regulated animals be provided adequate veterinary care.

Policy: Expired Medical Materials

The use ofexpired medical materials such as drugs, fluids, or sutures on regulated animals is not considered to be acceptable veterinary practice and does not constitute adequate veterinary care as required by the regulations promulgated under the Animal Welfare Act. All expired medical materials found in a licensed or registered facility are to be brought to the attention of the responsible official. The facility must either dispose ofall such materials or segregate them in an appropriately labeled, physically separate location from non-expired medical materials. The Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has no jurisdiction over facilities using expired medical materials for non-regulated animals or non-regulated activities.

For acute terminal procedures, APHIS does not oppose the use ofexpired medical materials iftheir use does not adversely affect the animal's wellbeing or compromise the validity ofthe scientific study. Proper anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia are required for all such procedures. Drugs administered to relieve pain or distress and emergency drugs must not be used beyond their expiration date. Facilities allowing the use of expired medical materials in acute terminal procedures should have a policy AC 3.1 Animal Care Resource Guide Policies Veterinary Care

covering the use ofsuch materials and/or require investigators to describe in their animal activity proposals the intended use ofexpired materials.

The attending veterinarian and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) are responsible for ensuring that proposed animal activities avoid or minimize discomfort, distress, and pain to the animal. These responsibilities cannot be met unless the veterinarian and the IACUC maintain control over the use ofexpired medical materials.

Pharmaceutical-Grade Compounds in Research

Investigators are expected to use pharmaceutical-grade medications whenever they are available, even in acute procedures. Non-pharmaceutical- grade chemical compounds should only be used in regulated animals after specific review and approval by the IACUC for reasons such as scientific necessity or non-availability ofan acceptable veterinary or human pharmaceutical-grade product. Cost savings alone are not an adequate justification for using non pharmaceutical-grade compounds in regulated animals.

Surgery

AWA regulations require that survival surgeries be performed using aseptic techniques and that major operative procedures on nonrodents be performed only in dedicated surgical facilities. Nonsurvival surgeries require neither aseptic techniques nor dedicated facilities ifthe subjects are not anesthetized long enough to show evidence ofinfection. Research facilities doing surgical demonstrations while traveling must use aseptic techniques and dedicated surgical facilities. Motel meeting rooms and auditoriums do not qualify as dedicated surgical facilities.

Nonsurvival surgeries not performed aseptically or in a dedicated facility must at least be performed in a clean area, free ofclutter, and using acceptable veterinary sanitation practices analogous to those used in a standard examination/treatment room. Personnel present in the area must observe reasonable cleanliness practices for both themselves and the animals. Eating, drinking, or smoking are not acceptable in surgery areas, and locations used for food handling purposes do not qualify as acceptable areas for performing surgeries.

Pre- and Post-Procedural Care

All animal activity proposals involving surgery must provide specific details ofpre- through post-procedural care and reliefofpain and distress. The specific details must be approved by the attending veterinarian or hislher designee. However, the attending veterinarian retains the authority to change post-operative care as necessary to ensure the comfort ofthe animal. The

3.2 AC Policies Animal Care Resource Guide Veterinary Care Issue Date: July 17,2007

withholding ofpain and/or distress relieving care must be scientifically justified in writing and approved by the IACUC. The appropriate use of drugs to relieve pain and/or distress must be specified in the animal activity proposal to avoid possible delays due to investigator concerns that a treatment regimen may interfere with the study. Furthermore, the specified drugs for reliefofpain and/or distress must be readily available for use as described in the proposal.

While an animal is under post-surgical care, the ownership ofthe animal is not to change. Ifthe animal is taken to an off-site location, such as a farm, for post-operative care, that location should be identified as a site ofthe research facility. An animal is not to be taken to an off-site location before it fully recovers from anesthesia unless justified in the animal activity proposal. Appropriate post-operative records must be maintained in accordance with professionally accepted veterinary procedures regardless ofthe location ofthe animal.

Program ofVeterinary Care

Facilities which do not have a full-time attending veterinarian must have a written Program ofVeterinary Care (PVC). This Program must consist ofa properly completed APHIS Form 7002 or an equivalent format providing all ofthe information required by the APHIS form. The attending veterinarian must visit the facility on a regular basis, i.e., often enough to provide adequate oversight ofthe facility's care and use ofanimals but no less than annually. Records ofvisits by the attending veterinarian must be kept to include dates ofthe visits and comments or recommendations ofthe attending veterinarian or other veterinarians.

The PVC must be reviewed and updated whenever necessary (e.g., as a new species ofanimal or a new attending veterinarian is obtained, or the preventive medical program changes). It must be initialed and dated by both the attending veterinarian and the facility representative whenever it is changed or reviewed without change. The preventive medical program described in the PVC is expected to be in accordance with common good veterinary practices (e.g., appropriate vaccinations, diagnostic testing). It should include zoonotic disease prevention measures and, ifnecessary, special dietary prescriptions

Declawing and Defanging Practices in Wild or Exotic Carnivores or Nonhuman Primates

Declawing ofwild and exotic carnivores and the removal or reduction of canine teeth in nonhuman primates and wild and exotic carnivores have been used in the past in an attempt to minimize dangers presented to humans and other members ofthese species. These procedures are not innocuous and can

AC 3.3 Animal Care Resource Guide Policies Veterinary Care

cause ongoing pain, discomfort, or other pathological conditions in the animals. In addition, they do not prevent predatory behaviors, safeguard the general public, nor prevent biting in nonhuman primates and carnivores.

The declawing ofany wild or exotic carnivore does not constitute appropriate veterinary care. Any medical treatment ofa paw should be limited to the affected digit(s) or area and would not require bilateral declawing.

The removal ofthe canine teeth ofa nonhuman primate, unless for the immediate medical needs ofthe animal, does not constitute appropriate veterinary care.

We are adopting the position statements ofthe American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) on these practices because these positions reflect the generally accepted veterinary standards. Not everyone has access to the AVMA information, so we are including the position statements ofthe AVMA (2005 and 2007).

"Declawing Captive Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Cats

The AVMA opposes declawing captive exotic and other wild (indigenous) cats for nonmedical reasons."

"Removal or Reduction ofCanine Teeth in Captive Nonhuman Primates or Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Carnivores

The AVMA is opposed to removal ofcanine teeth in captive nonhuman primates or exotic and wild (indigenous) carnivores, except when required for medical treatment or scientific research approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Reduction ofcanine teeth may be necessary to address medical and approved scientific research needs, or animal or human safety concerns. Ifreductions expose the pulp cavity, endodontic procedures must be performed by a qualified person.

To minimize bite wounds, recommended alternatives to dental surgery include behavioral modification, environmental enrichment, and changes in group composition."

Health Records

Health records are meant to convey necessary information to all people involved in an animal's care. Every facility is expected to have a system of health records sufficiently comprehensive to demonstrate the delivery of adequate health care. For those facilities that employ one or more full-time veterinarians, it is expected there will be an established health records system consistent with professional standards that meets and probably exceeds, the minimum requirements set forth in this policy. For facilities that do not 3.4 AC Policies Animal Care Resource Guide Veterinary Care Issue Date: July 17,2007

employ a full-time veterinarian, it is suggested the health records system be explained as part ofthe written PVC, to ensure involvement ofthe attending veterinarian in developing the system. For all facilities, health records must be current, legible, and include, at a minimum, the following information:

• Identity ofthe animal. • Descriptions ofany illness, injury, distress, and/or behavioral abnormalities and the resolution ofany noted problem. • Dates, details, and results (ifappropriate) ofall medically-related observations, examinations, tests, and other such procedures. • Dates and other details ofall treatments, including the name, dose, route, frequency, and duration oftreatment with drugs or other medications. (A "check-off' system to record when treatment is given each day may be beneficial.)

Treatment plans should include a diagnosis and prognosis, when appropriate. They must also detail the type, frequency, and duration ofany treatment and the criteria and/or schedule for re-evaluation(s) by the attending veterinarian. In addition, it must include the attending veterinarian's recommendation concerning activity level or restrictions ofthe animal.

Examples ofprocedures which should be adequately documented in health records include, but are not limited to, vaccinations, fecal examinations, radiographs, surgeries, and necropsies. Routine husbandry and preventive medical procedures (e.g., vaccinations and dewormings) performed on a group ofanimals may be recorded on herd-health-type records. However, individual treatment ofan animal must be on an entry specific to that animal. As long as all required information is readily available, records may be kept in any format convenient to the licensee/registrant (e.g., on cage cards for rodents).

Health records may be held by the .licensee/registrant (including, but not limited to, the investigators at research facilities) or the attendingveterinarian or divided between both (ifappropriately cross-referenced), but it is the responsibility ofthe licensee/registrant to ensure that all components ofthe records are readily available and that the record as a whole meets the requirements listed above.

An animal's health records must be held for at least I year after its disposition or death. (Note: Some records may need to be held longer to comply with other applicable laws or policies.) When an animal is transferred to another party or location, a copy ofthe animal's health record must be transferred with the animal. The transferred record should contain the animal's individual medical history, information on any chronic or ongoing health problems, and information on the most current preventive medical procedures (for example, the most recent vaccinations and dewormings). For traveling exhibitors, AC 3.5 Animal Care Resource Guide Policies Veterinary Care

information on any chronic or ongoing health problems and information on the most current preventive medical procedures must accompany any traveling animals, but the individual medical history records may be maintained at the home site.

Euthanasia

The method ofeuthanasia must be consistent with the current Report ofthe AVMA Panel on Euthanasia. Gunshot is not an acceptable method ofroutine euthanasia for any animal. Gunshot as a routine method ofeuthanasia not only endangers surrounding animals, buildings, and personnel, but it is likely to cause distress to other animals. It should only be used in situations where other forms ofacceptable euthanasia cannot be used (such as emergency or field conditions where the animal cannot be appropriately restrained) or in cases where gunshot will reduce danger to other animals or humans. Only personnel skilled in the use offirearms, using appropriate firearms, and familiar with the "kill point" ofan animal should perform the euthanasia. If the firearm is not aimed so that the projectile enters the brain and causes rapid unconsciousness and subsequent death without evidence ofpain or distress, this method does not meet the definition ofeuthanasia. (All State and local laws relevant to gunshot must also be met.)

3.6 AC USDA Information Sheet on Declawing and Tooth Removal (Issued in July 2006) I!J.i1!if1 'r re '~ It d~,

What animals does this apply to? This applies to all regulated nonhuman primates and captive wild or exotic carnivores, including, but not limited to, big cats, canid species, and bears.

Who does this apply to? This policy applies to all AWA licensees (breeders, dealers, and exhibitors) and registrants (research facilities).

What does this mean to the licensee or registrant?

What about animals have already been declawed or defanged?

The U.S, Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information. political beliefs, reprisal. or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TOD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA. Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. , Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

nn-o.nlr\\uu· Removal or Reduction of Canine Teeth in Captive Nonhuman Primates or Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Carnivores (Approved by the AVMA Executive Board November 2003; revised April 2004, June 2007)

The AVMA is opposed to removal of canine teeth in captive nonhuman primates or exotic and wild (indigenous) carnivores, except when required for medical treatment or scientific research approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Reduction of canine teeth may be necessary to address medical and approved scientific research needs, or animal or human safety concerns. If reductions expose the pulp cavity, endodontic procedures must be performed by a qualified person.

To minimize bite wounds, recommended alternatives to dental surgery include behavioral modification, environmental enrichment, and changes in group composition. Declawing Captive Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Cats

The AVMA opposes declawing captive exotic and other wild (indigenous) cats for nonmedical reasons.

Removal or Reduction of Canine Teeth in Captive Nonhuman Primates or Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Carnivores

The AVMA is opposed to removal or reduction of canine teeth in captive nonhuman primates or exotic and wild (indigenous) carnivores, except when required for medical treatment or scientific research approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. Reduction that does not expose the pulp cavity may be acceptable. Reduction that exposes the pulp cavity, without pulotomy or root canal, or removal of these teeth may result in oral pathologic conditions and pain.

To minimize bite wounds, recommended alternatives to dental surgery include behavioral modification, environmental enrichment, and changes in group composition

f-yi/ /v"\ A\J /11 fJ (,LKh ~.C'-,

V""" 2-()(,.)(..p j)ELETERIO'(JSEFFECTSOFONYCHECTOMY(DECLAWING)lNEXOTlCFELlDS AND A RE·];)ARATIVE.SU~GICAL TEClIl'iIQUE: APRELIMlN:,'\R:Y REPORT

Jennifer Conrad, DVM, I Kirk Wendelburg, D JIM,' SHvio Santinelli, MYZ/ andAnna Park, AD' lW'lUlije Waystadon,14831 Little Tujunga Canyon Forest.CA 91342-5999 USA; 'Animal Specialty Group, 4641 Colorado Boule 39JJSA

Abstract

Onychectomy, or declawjng,is~A'>g "1id~orbidprocedurewhenused inthe managem~nt ofexotic felids. There are three~ all ofwhich lead to significant gait disturbances lUld boney def0rnti~ ·chel.:~o~ h

Introduction.

Qtlych~toIl1yisapoJ'llbtttechniqu~usedin the maIl;agmnent ofexotic felids. Three basic methods ljavebeendescnoed. In: the first (method one), the eIltire third phalanx ofeach digit is removed.2 In tileSex;ond (methl:)d twp), yP-ost pfthe third phalanx is ampl,lt¥ed,le~ving the. deep digital flexor tendon attached tQ the retnai!Jipg, flexQr· tu~er~le. 3l'b.e thit,"d (-methQd threelis described as leaving the flexor and extensor tendons attached to the third phalanx, while removing the hom"forming tissue on the ungual crest).l EaCh of the methods has reported advantages, but none is free of adverse sequelae.

Whileproponentspfmethod qne accurately claim that yomplete removal ofthe third phalanx (P3) minimizesPc0ten~~ . \l~tinfel.:tio~lII1~tr~~ll1a caused by the retained bone fragment,2 the disruption offlexpr .i t~?~,aswellastheabn()rmalpositionofthe second phalanx (P2), cause digitalp a o~()gylU1dlossof~tion,namelyflexion and extension Qfthe paw. >'.:""':'/,:, ":"- ';',::"""::"":': ,..,;,"".,,,<... :'.,, ". : .':: .,.. ". :' MetllQd twQ supporters argUe thatthedeep digital flexor tendon shQuld be.preserved.3 While this allows·for sQmeflexioIiofthe paw, without the counter actiQnQf the extensor tendon, the flexQr pulls the fragment ofp3 prQxitnally under p2. This causes digitalpad pathology as well as discomfort for the l¥1imalas it attempts to walk on the remaining bQne,2 which acts like a "pebble in theshQe."

Advocates ofmethod three correctly state thatpaw integrity will be maintained with flexQr. and extensQr tendQn preserv~tion, Because Qf the nature of the feline claw,l hQwever, it is impossible tQ remove all ofthe hom-secreting tissue without removing the majority Qfp3.2 Subsequent nail

16 2()()2 PROCEEDINGS AMERICAN ASSOCIATION QF zoo VETERINARIANS n

wth and abscess fonnation can be expected.

Wildlife Waystation is home to more than 130 big cats. Onychectomy is notperformed at our 'ly, but manyanimals have been declawed prior to their arrival. Everyone ofthese cats has to some degree from the crippling effects of declaw surgery. These effects have been lioeated by the new reconstructive surgery described in this paper. To date, we have repaired -four paws with significant improvement in function and apparent reduction in pain.

al anatomy ofthe claw is provided in Figs. I and 2.

t cougars, three tigers, two leopards, and one lion have had either their front feet; or both their t and back feet repaired. Preoperative measurements ofpad size and subjective ratings ofpaw suppleness and integrity were made.·Radiographs, and in some cases,· magnetic resonance s, were used to assess the status ofp2 and p3 and the presence ofpathology, including soft infection, osteomyelitis, bone degeneration and arthritis. In the front paws oftwo cougars, p3 completely amputated in the initial declaw surgery. In the frontpaws ofthe remaining six , p3 had been only partially amputated. In two animals there was significant nail regrowth bsequent abscess formation. All three tigers had only partial amputations ofp3, with one 1 having significant nail regrowth and abscess formation. Both leopards had only partial tions of p3, one with abscessfonnation. The lion had partial amputation of p3 with uent abscess formation due to nail regrowth.

. al video recordings have been taken oftheanimalswalkirlg before and after the surgery. The is used to monitor changes in the animals' ability to walk, jump and climb.

aration for surgical repair ofthe declawed feet, paws are clippedto thecarpus,includingthe ofthe former nail. Chlorhexidine solution is then sprayed on the paw before the Esmarch e tourniquet is wrapped from the distal paw towards the antebrachium ina binding manner blood from the paw. Care must be taken to apply pressure over a broad area to avoid nerve e. The tourniquet is then released from the distal end toward the proximal to expose the paw. a..complete surgical scrub, an incision approximately 3cm in length is made from the dorsal ofthe paw tothe palmar aspect at the site ofthe former nail. Thepadmustbeavoided. In the where part ofp3 remains, the partially amputated bone is exposed via blunt dissection, any trnaterial is debrided and the fragment is then grabbed with A-O reduction forceps to lize and exteriorize the deep digital flex?r tendon. A cruciatesUture(OPDS) is placed in the ..ng digital flexor tendon and attached dorsally into the extensor tendon, orifthe lattercannot tifled, into the remaining tissue in the extensor groove ofthe second phalanx. Before the is secured, thecartilage that remains onthe distal endofp2 is removedbyrongeur. The suture tightened to reposition the pad· nearer to its properartatomicpositidn relative top2.· The n is closed with tissue glue. Pressure wrap bandages are placed over the paws with tabs for 17

------==~~ superticial digital fteiIlr tendon deep diglallIerilr tendon

Figure 1. Nonnal anatomy, claw.

Fig!lre 2. Normal anatomy, claw.

2002 PROCEEDINOS AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF 'ZOO VF:IERIN The Pa~ Project:

Twenty Paws Repaired in 2005 2005 was the year that declawing of exotic and native wild cats be came illegal in California. The na tion's first and only statewide de claw ban was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Sep tember 2004 and became law on January I, 2005. The bill was spon sored by the Paw Project and introduced by Assemblyman Paul Koretz. "I am pleased that California's big cats are now protected. Maybe we will have a chance to catch up on repairing paws in this state," says Paw Project founder, Jennifer Conrad, DVM. "Declawing only takes about 20 minutes; however, it takes about five hours to surgically repair the toes on just two paws. The sad truth is that many of the animals Paw Project director. Dr. Jennifer Conrad (above). prepares her 500 lb. pa the Paw PI-oject treats have had all tient for paw repair surgery at Animal Specialty Group Veterinary Hospital in four paws declawed." Los Angeles. Below, Shasa, a Canadian lynx, prior to rear paw repair surgery; In 2005, the Paw Project team performed.20 paw repair surgeries on declawed big cats, including bobcats, a lynx. and several tigers. Even though declawing these cats is now illegal in Califomia. there are still hundreds of animals that can benefit from surgery. Frederick, a eleven-year-old male tiger, belonged to a Hollywood animal trainer and appeared in movies befOl-e he became lame. After the trainer saw the deformi ties caused by declawing and watched the surgery to repair Frederick's front paws, he has vowed never again to declaw any animals to have repair surgery. surgeries in 2005. of his cats. The story of Frederick Shasa, a female Siberian lynx, was "We are thankful for The Paw was featured in the PBS program, rescued from a fur farm and had Project," says Joel Almquist. California Connected (for the link her front and back feet declawed director of Forever Wild. "After to the online video, see Hot Links at before coming to live at Forever surgery, our animals have much the bottom of page 4). Wild, a southern California sanc less pain and are more active. The Paw Project's donors have tuary. Shasa had all four of her We're sure they will have hap made it possible for othel- crippled feet repaired in two separate pier and longer lives."

Paw Project PO Box 445 Santa Monica. CA 90406 [email protected] 877 729-7765 The Paw Project (TPP) has a tigers couldn't even wait for the sister program, Animal General tanks to be filled. They just Hospital (AGH). AGH's pur hopped in and started splashing pose is to provide veterinary and playing." medical care and supplies to In October, TPP/AGH was called animals in need. to help another, more unusual, Although the two programs are type of declawed animal - an run by the same nonprofit par iguana. ent organization, they operate Carmen had been relinquished independently for the most by her owner to a West Los part. But sometimes they find Angeles shelter and was sched common ground. uled to be euthanized. TPP/AGH Recently, an Animal General bailed her out with the help of Hospital donor made a contri Mary Cummins of Animal Advo bution for the purchase of large cates. water tanks to provide recrea "This is another cruel example of tion fOl" captive tigers and to an unfortunate animal, who de help them cool down during pends on its claws, being hot weather. thoughtlessly deprived of them," says Dr. Conrad. "It is so wrong. AGH bought more than 50 six Claws are absolutely essential to foot diameter galvanized metal iguanas. They're climbing animals. tanks for some of the feline I can't imagine what vets are residents of Forever Wild, thinking when they do this." PAW.S. Ark 2000, and Sham Says Cummins, "She's a good bala, three California sanctuar iguana, but because she is de ies. Many of the cats were Paw clawed, she can't climb at all. I'm Project paw repair patients. going to build her a low ramp to Volunteer Brandy Ferdig deliv her basking shelf. She is truly ered the tanks to Forever Wild. disabled. I hope we can find her a "It was great," she said. "The 'special needs' home." Above left: Blue. a former paw repair patient, chills in his new water tank. Below left: Carmen. a declawed iguana. has difficulty climbing even the most gently inclined branches. Inset photo shows her declawed foot. "Never underestimate the Urge WeHo to Fight for Declaw Ban power ofa small In 2003, West Hollywood, CA non-medical reasons. West Hol Vets who declaw four cats a group of committed (WeHo) passed the nation's lywood believes that declawing week at $350 per procedure people to change first local ban on declawing. is a form of animal cruelty and can add over $72,000 to their The California Veterinary Medi maintains that the city has the yearly incomes. the world. cal Association (CVMA) wants right and the responsibility to The CVMA suit threatens the Indeed, it is the to overturn the law. On No prohibit cruel practices. right of a community to deter only thing that ever vember 30, the city lost a mo The CVMA wants to protect its mine what type of activities are tion for summary judgment. member's' ability to declaw cats acceptable within its jurisdic has." despite the fact that their col tion. The precedents set by this The final decision may be de - Margaret Mead leagues in many othel" nations suit may have serious far cided in the court of appeals if consider declawing a violation of reaching effects for other ani WeHo pursues the case. professional ethics. mal welfare issues. The CVMA, a trade association Declawing is illegal or consid If you wish to let the CVMA for veterinarians, contends that ered unethical in most of the know how you feel about their the Paw Project-sponsored law world outside the US. efforts to prevent the banning is a restriction of veterinary For example, in the United King of cruel practices, please write practice and that only the state dom, the Royal College of Vet them. The e-mail address for government, not local govern erinary Surgeons officially regards CVMA President. Eric Weigand ments, may enact such laws. declawing as "mutilation" and as is [email protected], and West Hollywood's law bans an "unacceptable practice." for Executive Director. Valerie anyone, including veterinarians, But do US vets sacrifice ethics Fenstermaker, the address is from declawing any animal for for financial gain? [email protected].

Paw Project PO Box 445 Santa Monica. CA 90406 [email protected] 877 729-7765 Animal General Hospital Aids Katrina Animals

Volunteers from Animal General Hospital spent much of September and part of October in New Odeans rescuing animals after the devastation caused by hurricane Katrina. Among the dozens of animals pUlled from wrecked homes and off the streets were dogs, cats, birds and fish left behind when their human families evacuated. In the days after the hurricane struck, Animal General Hospital, along with many other animal rescue organiza tions, went to New Orleans to rescue animals that had been left with no access to food or water. One day, while Animal General Hospital volunteer Sherman Baylin was attempting to coax a scrawny dog, later named Boudin, into the AGH van, others volunteers were searching St. Anthony Street for a tuxedo cat they had seen earlier. Calling for the kitty, AGH volunteers Bt'andy Ferdig and Gina Hanson heard an unexpected re ply. A small bark, the cry of a dying dog, caught their ears. They rushed through the unlocked doorway of a house that had been evacuated 18 days earlier. There, lying on the floor of the storm-ravaged kitchen was a tiny Papillon. The dog was so weak that he couldn't lift his head, much less walk. Animal Genet'al Hospital veterinarian Dr. Jenni fer Conrad tended to the helpless animal, administering IV fluids and providing medical care as the pup recuper ated in a motel room. The next twelve sleepless hours were spent checking on the little Papilion and attending to his every need. Because of his long, flowing coat, the volunteers called their miniature patient Professor Long hair, after the famous New Orleans musician. By the twenty-four hour mark, the Professor was able to stand and walk a few steps. He was on the road to recovery. Animal General Hospital volunteers were able to locate the Professor's family by his rabies tag - and then his remarkable story unfolded. When New Orleans flooded, the dog's caretakers, Phillip and Rick, were forced to leave their home. Due to Rick's frail health, a MedEvac helicopter was called for. The two men discarded their luggage so they could take theil' four dogs on the chopper. At the last moment, the carrier containing the Professor broke, and the tiny dog darted back into the empty house. Rick started after him, but was held back by the crewmen. Gunfire in the area prompted the pilot to leave immediately. Rick and Phillip thought they would return in a day or two to pick up their little pup. That hope quickly evaporated after just a few minutes in the air. Rick suffered a heart attack and was airlifted to Miami for emergency care. The story ends happily. Rick has recovered, and the fam ily was reunited on October 8, when Alfie (the Profes sor's real name) was flown to Miami. The entire family has since returned to New Orleans.

Denny Update - Denny, a crippled. declawed lion who lives at the Performing Animal Welfare Society sanctuary in Galt, CA has not yet had paw repair surgery. Denny's plight was reported in the last Paw Project newsletter. Radiographs taken of Denny's feet and legs show other deformi ties of the bone. While doctors at UC Davis decide how to treat Top: Boudin and a very weak Alfie (lying) in van after being picked up Denny. the repair surgery planned by the Paw Project has been Middle: Alfie recovering in motel room two days after rescue postponed. If you have questions, please contact us. Bottom: AGH fed this and hundreds of other starving and abandoned cats

Paw Project PO Box 445 Santa Monica, CA 90406 [email protected] 877 729-7765 Declawing: It Doesn't Save Lives Supporters of declawing incor and litter box avoidance. also cause a cat to avoid rough rectly use the argument that In a 1996 journal of the Ameri litter...and the litter box. declawing saves lives. They can Veterinary Medical Associa Biting and litter box avoidance maintain that cats who scratch tion (JAVMA) article, Dr. Gary are less tolerated by pet owners furniture may end up in shel Patronek, using multivariate than scratching. increasing the ters where, in all likelihood, statistical analysis. found that chance that declawed cats will they will be euthanized. declawed cats had an increased end up in shelters. However, this claim ignores risk of relinquishment and that The National Council on Pet several important and well among relinquished cats, 52.4% Population Study & Policy has documented points. of declawed cats were reported reported house soiling (38%). There is evidence that de to exhibit litter box avoidance, followed by aggression ( 19%). as clawed cats are more likely to compared to 29.1 % of non the most common behavioral be abandoned to shelters and declawed cats. reasons for pet relinquishment. that cats have a greater chance Recent articles have linked de A 2002jAVMA article by Dr. of being relinquished because clawing with a chronic pain janet Scarlett. showed that only of behavioral problems caused syndrome that results in aggres 3.3% of cats are relinquished for by declawing, specifically biting sive behavior. Painful paws may unwanted scratching. When in Rome, Don't Declaw In October, the city council of Animal Protection Act, which Rome, Italy, passed an ordi also bans declawing. nance outlawing the declawing Monica Cirinna, the Rome city of cats. The new law also re councilor responsible for the quires regular dog-walking and animal welfare law said. "The bans the use of electric-shock civilization of a city can be collars. Offenders face fines of measured by the way it looks between $75 and $750. after its animals. It is good to Rome joins the growing num do whatever we can for our ber of places where declawing pets who fill our existence with Roman cats are protected from is not performed. Earlier this their attention in exchange for declawing and other forms of cruelty year. Austria passed a federal a little love." by the city's new animal welfare law. Canadian Vets Oppose Declawing Big Cats

Paw Project veterinarians, jenni scientific paper. authored by claw regrowth, may occur. fer Conrad and Kirk Wendel Conrad and Wendelburg. enti Corrective surgery may be burg were instrumental in per tled "Deleterious Effects of Ony necessary, and declawing may suading the Canadian Veterinary chectomy (Declawing) in Exotic result in lifelong discomfort for Medical Association to adopt a Felids." the animaL" new position statement that The Canadian VMA position "It's a real honor," says "opposes the surgical removal statement finds. "Declawing of Wendelburg, "to have our re of claws of non-domestic felids these animals can be a painful search accepted by our profes (cats) kept in captivity." procedure. involving a lengthy sional colleagues." Conrad The Canadian Animal Welfare healing period. Postoperative concurs, adding, "We hope Committee developed the posi complications. including infection, this will be another step to tion citing the findings of the hemorrhage, bone spurs, and ward the end of declawing."

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Ebony's Story (larger view) Bobby, a bobcat This radiograph of the left paw of a Charlie, a cougar 14-year-old leopard shows clearly the "pebble in the shoe" effect that often Calador, a jaguar results from declaw surgery. Instead of Radiograph of a eat's just the natural soft paw pad cushioning the tips of the fingers, a portion of bone paws sits uncomfortably under another bone, Radiograph detail, cat's causing .Ebony tremendous pain when front paws she tried to walk. Abnormal nail regrowth

Declawed as a cub, by the time Ebony was 8 years old she had given up walking. Declaw surgery, the She spent her days laying in one place, irritable and snarling at anyone who procedure approached. Last year, Ebony had all four feet repaired by the Paw Project Declaw surgery, the tool veterinarians. Her personality improved remarkably. She now enjoys walking all over the compound and has a very friendly disposition. Declaw surgery, the tool Declaw surgery, the procedure

Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Bobby's Story (larger view) Bobby, a bobcat This bobcat was declawed by complete Charlie, a cougar amputation (disarticulation) of the last bone in the finger, the third phalanx. By Calador, a jaguar the time he was 5 years old, he stopped Radiograph of a cat's walking and was very reluctant even to paws stand on his front feet. Radiograph detail, eat's When Paw Project veterinarians front paws examined him, the infection and bone AtJnorrnal nail regrowth popped right out of the skin. Now that his feet are repaired, this bobcat is very Declaw surgery, the active and playful. procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw sur~lery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declawsurgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Charlie's Story (larger view) Bobby, a bobcat This 17-year-old cougar was declawed Charlie, a cougar as a cub by a complete amputation of the third phalanx. Although there is no Calador, a jaguar portion of the bone remains to allow nail Radiograph of a cat's regrowth, this method of declawing caused the second phalanx (middle pawS bone of the three finger bones) to poke Radiograph detail, cat's through the skin. front paws Abnormal nail regrowth These radiographs reveal apparent evidence of infection on almost every Deciaw surgery, the toe, which was caused by gravel procedure becoming deeply imbedded in the bone Declaw surgery, the tool due to chronic exposure to dirt. Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure Dedaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX EbOny, a leopard Calador's Story (larger view) Bobby, a bobcat This is a radiograph of a lS-year-old jaguar's paw. Calador was declawed as a Charlie, a cougar cub and suffered complications from the Calador, a jaguar surgery. Although the bone fragment left behind from the incomplete Radiograph of a cat's amputation was not lodged beneath the paws bone, the nail regrew immediately under Radiograph detail, eat's the skin, producing an abscess that front paws debilitated Calador for most of his life. Atmorrnal nail regrowth

Paw Project veterinarians removed the Declaw surgery, the abscess, and now Calador is walking procedure with much less pain; however, as he Declaw surgery, the tool could not walk normally, on his toes, for so many years, he developed arthritis in the wrists. Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure Dec:law surgery, the procedure

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Ebony I a leopard

Radiograph of a eat's front paws Bobby, a bobcat Hill:.9..~!:-~l Charliel a cOugar This radiograph of a cat's front paws Calado , a jaguar reveals why the animal experienced r progressively worsening lameness RadiOgraph of a eat's declawing. The lo'wer paw shows paws portions of the severed third phalanx RadiOgraph detaill eat's displaced under the pad in several toes. This condition produces a painful front paws "pebble-in-the-shoe" effect when the cat Abnormal nail regrowth walks. Dec!aW surgery, the procedure

Dec!aw surgery I the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool

Dec!aW surgery, the procedure

Dec\aw surgery I the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Radiograph, detail, cat's front paws Bobby, a bobcat LLi:l!...9..~r vi..~_l This detail of the radiograph shown in Charlie, a cougar the previous slide shows clearly the Calador, a jaguar displaced remnants of the third phalanx that remain embedded under the eat's Radiograph of a cat's tender paw pads as a result of declawing paws surgery. Radiograph detail, eat's front paws Atmormal nail regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Abnormal nail regrowth, a case studY(@I.9.~y'.!ewl Bobby, a bobcat The declaw procedure left portions of Charlie, a cougar the nail-forming tissue, resulting in the Calador, a jaguar grossly abnormal claw shown in this picture. Radiograph of a eat's paws Radiograph detail, eat's front paws Abnormal nail regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Declaw surgery, the procedure Bobby, a bobcat (l9xger vi~\lVJ The anesthetized cat is prepared for Charlie, a cougar declawing by placing a tourniquet Calador, a jaguar around the limb to lessen blood loss when the toes are partially amputated. Radiograph of a eat's paws Radiograph detail, eat's front paws AI)nOrrnal npil regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Declaw surgery, the tool (larger vie.~ Bobby, a bobcat The most common method of declawing Charlie, a cougar employs a Resco clipper. This tool is Calador, a jaguar made to trim the claws of dogs, but is used also for declaw surgery. Radiograph of a eat's paws Radiograph detail, eat's front paws Abnormal nail regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Declaw surgery, the tool (larger Bobby, a bobcat Y..!~.'!'!'.l When the handle is squeezed, the Charlie, a cou~lar guillotine blades of the Resco clipper Calador, a jaguar severs the toe. Sometimes the entire third phalanx is cut off, sometimes only Radiograph of a eat's a portion of it. paws Radiograph detail, eat's front paws Abnormal nail regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Declaw surgery, the procedure Bobby, a bobcat .(@.!:9..~!:...YieV'{l The claw and a portion of the toe is Charlie, a cougar removed. The wound is often close Calador, a jaguar using super-glue instead of stitches. Radiograph of a cat's paws Radiograph detail, eat's front paws Abnormal nail regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the tool

Declaw surgery, the procedure Declaw surgery, the procedure

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INDEX Ebony, a leopard Declaw surgery, the procedure ([9rg~r_~J~~ Bobby, a bobcat This photo clearly shows that not only Charlie, a cougar are the nails removed in the declawing Calador, a jaguar surgery,but also the skin, fur, and soft tissue of the eat's toe. Radiograph of a eat's paws Radiograph detail, eat's front paws

Almormal nail regrowth

Declaw surgery, the procedure

Declaw surgery, the tool

Dedaw surgery, the procedure

Declaw surgery, the procedure

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I of I 10/4/200610:36 AI : AQs on Cat Declawing, Declaw Surgery and Feline Scratching Behavior nttp:llwww.pavvpl VJ """"".....v •• II I'''''''' ...... u ...... ,..

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FAQs ON DECLAWING AND FELINE SCRATCHING BEHAVIOR FAQs ••• There are many myths, misunderstandings, and misinformation • FAQS~GENERALINFO concerning declawing. If you are considering having this surgery • CASE STUDIES done on your cat, or if your veterinarian has suggested it, please take a few minutes to learn about this major surgical procedure WHO SAYS DECLAWING IS A BAD before you make a decision. IDEA? Declawing is illegal or considered FAQs About Declawing inhumane in many countries around the world, including in the United .. What is declawing? Kingdom, the Republic of Northern Ireland, Scandinavia, Netherlands, .. How common is declawing? Why? Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, .. Is declawing a painful procedure? Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil. .. Do declawed cats find homes more easily because they In the United States and throughout won't damage furniture? Will people abandon or euthanize the world, many respected their cats if they cannot have a veterinarian declaw their individuals and organizations are cats? opposed to declawing. .. Does dedawing contribute to the development of the types of behavioral problems that result in relinquishment? The American Society for the .. What is the experience of animal shelter and rescue Prevention of Cruelty to Animals workers with respect to declawing and behavioral (www.aspca.org): problems? "The ASPCA does not approve of the declawing of cats as a matter of .. Do people with compromised immune systems need to supposed convenience to cat owners. declaw their cats? It is form of mutilation and it does cause pain." .. If it is possible to repair the paws of animals in which the surgical outcome of dedawing has been unfavorable, why The Humane Society of the not teach veterinarians how to do restorative or remedial United States (www.hsus.org): surgery on individuals whose outcomes are bad? "It is the policy of The Humans Society of the United States (HSUS) .. Is there precedent for banning declawing? to oppose... declawing of cats when done solely for the convenience of .. Are tendonectomy (tenectomy) or laser surgery more the owners and without benefit to the humane alternatives to conventional declaw surgery? anima!."

.. Aren't neutering and spaying procedures that surgically The Cat Fancier's Association alter animals for the convenience of humans also? (www.cfainc.org): "The CFA perceives the declawing of .. Why do cats scratch things?* cats (onychectomy) and the severing of digital tendons (tendonectomy) to .. Why do people declaw their cats? be elective surgical procedures which are without benefit to the cat. .. What is declawing? Because of postoperative discomfort or pain, and potential future .. What are the potential complications ()f declawing? behaVioral or physical effects, CFA disapproves of declawing or .. How can I stop unwanted scratching behavior without tendonectomy surgery." declawirig? Royal College of Veterinary .. Is laser declawing okay? Surgeons, G real: Britain (www.rcvs.org.uk): .. Why did my veterinarian suggest declawing my cat? ",,: 0:37 A I of I Tho Drv, rf~c:rr"ih~crtQ.,..I::l\Alinrt Is there precedent for banning declawing?

The United States is unusual compared to our European counterparts with respect to the acceptance ofdeclawing in veterinary practice. For example, there is growing support of the European Council's Convention for the Protection ofPet Animals, which prohibits declawing. To date, the Convention continues to gather signatories, and since its inception, countries such as Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, Norway and Germany have enacted laws expressly prohibiting declawing. European veterinary medical professional organizations, such as the UK's Royal College ofVeterinary Surgeons, have publicly expressed their accord, equating declawing with "mutilation" and stating that declawing for the "prevention offurniture or carpet damage is unacceptable."

In the United States, the city of West Hollywood has recently banrred the declawing of animals within the city borders. This action, according to its City Council, "sends a clear message that West Hollywood prides itselfon providing strong leadership in compassionate care ofanimals." In February, New Jersey passed a statewide law prohibiting the devocalization (debarking) ofdogs. Like declawing, this is a non therapeutic surgery that affords no benefit to the animal.

Further support for the enactment oflaws prohibiting declawing has been expressed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, whose convention calling for an end to non-therapeutic surgeries, including declawing, ear cropping and tail docking, has been ratified by veterinary associations from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, British Columbia, Columbia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

Attitudes concerning the relationship between humans and animals are evolving worldwide. In 2002, Germany became the first European nation to vote to guarantee animal rights in its constitution when the members ofthe Bundestag voted to add "and the animals" to a clause that obliges the state to respect and protect the dignity ofhumans. Article 20a ofthe German Basic Law now reads: "The state takes responsibility for protecting the natural foundations oflife and animals in the interest offuture generations." In January 2003, the European Union Parliament voted unanimously to ban the testing ofcosmetics on animals as well as the sale and import ofnew cosmetics tested on animals. The farming ofanimals for fur was recently banned in England. switzerland passed an amendment in 1992, recognizing animals as beings and not things.

Mohandas Gandhi said, "The greatness ofa nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Though animals are still very much 'things' in the eyes ofAmerican law, changes in the attitude ofthe American public are evident. Thirty seven states have recently passed laws making some forms ofanimal cruelty a crime. A ban on declawing is consistent with this evolving attitude and would make California a leader and a model in the field ofanimal welfare. JlLLp.11 VV VY yy .P"" ...... 'VJ ...... - ...... ~ The Paw Project - Cat Declawing and Animal Welfare

The Paw project advocates animal elfare, promotes public awareness about the painful and crippling effe~ts of feline decll3WIn9, rehabilitateS declawed cats through paw repair surgery, and supports ".,easures to end the unnecessary practice of onychectorny (declaw surgery). & •

10/4/2006 10:27 j I of I http://www.pawproject.com/ntml/ut:.au.t.Cl~fJ :it declawing Ianimal welfare advocacy IThe Paw P"oject

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The Paw Project exists to promote animal welfare and increase public • Mailing Address awareness about the crippling effects of feline declawing, to rehabilitate big cats PO Box 445 that have been declawed, and to end the practice of declaw surgery. Santa Monica, CA 90406-0045 The Paw Project initiated efforts which led to the ban on declawing in West Hollywood, CA, the first law of its kind in North America. The Paw Project was • Phone (877) PAW PROJECT also the sponsor of AS 1857, introduced by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-42nd (877) 729-7765 Di~trlr::.J;1. In September 2004, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 185, enacting the first state law in the US banning the declawing of wild and Phone from outside exotic cats. USA 1 (310) 795-6215 Data from clinical studies of The Paw Project were used to develop the new • E-Mail Address USDA policy which declares that "declawing...in wild or exotic carnivores...is no [email protected] longer considered to be appropriate veterinary care unless prescribed by the • Paw Project is a attending veterinarian for treatment of individual medical problems of the paws. SOl(c)(3) non-profit These procedures are no longer considered to be acceptable when performed organizatio" solely for handling or husban"dry purposes since they can cause considerable pain and discomfort to the animal and may result in chronic health problems." These procedures are no longer allowed under the Animal Welfare Act. This decision Please Support effectively establishes a nationwide ban on declawing of wild and exotic cats, The Paw Project wolves, bears, and other animals. LBal<~a.Donatio~ Declawing is a surgical procedure, also called onychectomy, in which the animal's toes are amputated at the last joint. Most people do not realize that a View and download The portion of the bone-not only nail-is removed. Declawing may result in paw Project's current permanent lameness, arthritis, and other long-term complications. It is actually newsletter (PDF) illegal in many countries. View case studies of cats that have suffered negative h e"ql!h"_~ffect? d u~..1Q.._c!.ecl a_!:YJ.!1JL2'_ Read about ASSembly Bill 1857, introduced by Since April 2000 veterinarians working with The Paw Project have california Assemblyman performed reparative surgery on lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, and jaguars paul Koretz (0-42 District) that had been victims of declaw surgery. Enjoying relief for the first time after years of suffering, declawed cats that could hobble only a few agonizing steps prior to reparative surgery are able to leap, run, and play much more as nature intended. Yiew a movie of Kona, before and after paw repair surgery» There are more than 100 j::lJ.9._5~"L_~9..I1ctuarie~ in 41 states caring for over 1000 declawed cats that live each day in constant pain. The Paw Project's goal is to help everyone of these cats by providing support to animal sanctuaries and veterinarians.

1 of I 3ig Cats Saved From Declawing by the Animal Welfare Act http://cats.about.comlb/a/257530.htm

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Big Cats Saved From Declawing by the Animal Welfare Act From Franny Syufy, Your Guide to Cats. FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now! Declawing or the removal ofthe canine teeth (fangs) in wild or exotic carnivores or nonhuman primates is no longer considered to be appropriate veterinary care unless prescribed by the attending veterinarian for treatment ofindividual medical problems of the paws or teeth. These procedures are no longer considered to be acceptable when performed solely for handling or husbandry purposes since they can cause considerable pain and discomfort to the animal and may result in chronic health problems. These procedures are no longer allowed under the Animal Welfare Act. This notice is consistent with the current position statement issued by the American Veterinary Medical Association. USDA Announcement

How Did This Come About?

In 2002, Dr. Jennifer Conrad, founder of The Paw Project, presented a scientific paper on the crippling effects of declawing to the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians. Another conference attendee, Dr. Timothy Reichard. a zoo veterinarian. used Dr. Conrad's data to author the American Veterinary Medical Association position on declawing big cats. This animal welfare position paper became the foundation for the new USDA policy.

Who Does This New Policy Affect?

According to a press release from The Paw Project: The new policy applies to animals held by USDA license holders including exhibitors, dealers and breeders of wild and exotic animals, as well as research facilities. This decision is estimated to affect thousands ofanimals. Though the new policy does not affect animals previously altered by these methods, it will protect all animals that have not had these procedures already performed.

Background of The Paw Project

Dr. Conrad and her associates at The Paw Project perform reparative surgeries on big cats that have been crippled by declawing. For the most part. these exotic animals were owned by private parties; people who loved the idea of owning a big cat, but feared their potential for scratching. The Paw Project is helping the more than 100 big cat sanctuaries across the U.S. in saving their cats from the pain of previous declawing. In addition, The Paw Project has played a major role in sponsoring feline anti-declawing laws within the state of California, on behalf of pet cats. One successful ban. a law passed in West Hollywood in April of 2003 is currently being challenged by the California Veterinary Medicine Association (CVMA). AB 1857, the California Animal Cruelty Declawing Bill, was passed and signed into law on September 29,2004 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. AB 1857 bans declawing of wild and exotic cats, and became effective January 1, 2005.

Of the new USDA policy, Dr. Conrad says, 'This is a major victory for the animals and those who care about them."

Amen. Thursday September 14, 20061 comments (1)

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of1 10/4/2006 10:48 AM .Ql u",,,,,awlIlg I,U1l1nar welfare advocacy IThe Paw Project http://www.pawproject.com/html/default.asp

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The Paw Project exists to promote animal welfare and increase public awareness about the crippling effects of feline declawing, to rehabilitate big cats • Mailing Address that have been declawed, and to end the practice of declaw surgery. PO Box 445 Santa Monica, CA The Paw Project initiated efforts which led to the ban on declawing in West 90406-0045 Hollywood, CA, the first law of its kind in North America. The Paw Project was • Phone also the sponsor of AB 1857, introduced by Assemblyman Paul Koretz (D-42nd (877) PAW PROJECT .QJ?J:ri<;..t.l. In September 2004, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed (877) 729-7765 AB 185, enacting the first state law in the US banning the declawing of wild and exotic cats. Phone from outside USA Data from clinical studies of The Paw Project were used to develop the new 1 (310) 795-6215 USD6J:lolicy which declares that "declawing...in wild or exotic carnivores...is no • E-Mail Address longer considered to be appropriate veterinary care unless prescribed by the [email protected] attending veterinarian for treatment of individual medical problems of the paws. • Paw Project is a These procedures are no longer considered to be acceptable when performed 501(c)(3) non-profit solely for handling or husbandry purposes since they can cause considerable pain organization and discomfort to the animal and may result in chronic health problems." These procedures are no longer allowed under the Animal Welfare Act. This decision effectively establishes a nationwide ban on declawing of wild and exotic cats, Please Support wolves, bears, and other animals. The Paw Project

Declawing is a surgical procedure, also called onychectomy:, in which the ~aDonation] animal's toes are amputated at the last joint. Most people do not realize that a portion of the bone-not only nail-is removed. Declawing may result in View and download The permanent lameness, arthritis, and other long-term complications. It is actually Paw Project's current illegal in many countries. View case studies of cats that have suffered negative newsletter (PDF) .bg.!':l!.t.b.~ff~~~J!l.:!~ to c:!§!-fI_~~j.DfL~ Read about Assembly Bill Since April 2000 veterinarians working with The Paw Project have 1857, introduced by performed reparative surgery on lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, and jaguars California Assemblyman that had been victims of declaw surgery. Enjoying relief for the first time after Paul Koretz (0-42 District) years of suffering, declawed cats that could hobble only a few agoniZing steps prior to reparative surgery are able to leap, run, and play much more as nature intended. y'~~_a movie of Kona, before and after paw repair surgery»

There are more than 100 Pjg_.f~.t~9..IJct@rie~ in 41 states caring for over 1000 declawed cats that live each day in constant pain. The Paw Project's goal is to help every one of these cats by providing support to animal sanctuari~~ and veterinarians.

f I Is there precedent for banning declawing?

In the United States, the city ofWest Hollywood has recently banned the declawing of animals within the city borders. This action, according to its City Council, "sends a clear message that West Hollywood prides itselfon providing strong leadership in compassionate care ofanimals." In February, New Jersey passed a statewide law prohibiting the devocalization (debarking) ofdogs. Like declawing, this is a non therapeutic surgery that affords no benefit to the animal.

Further support for the enactment oflaws prohibiting declawing has been expressed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association, whose convention calling for an end to non-therapeutic surgeries, including deelawing, ear cropping and tail docking, has been ratified by veterinary associations from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia Herzegovina, British Columbia, Columbia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and Uruguay.

Attitudes concerning the relationship between humans and animals are evolving worldwide. In 2002, Germany became the first European nation to vote to guarantee animal right~ in its constitution when the members ofthe Bundestag voted to add "and the animals" to a clause that obliges the state to respect and protectthe dignity ofhumans. Article 20a ofthe German Basic Law nowreads: "The state takes responsibility for protecting the natural foundations oflife and animals in the interest offuture generations." In January 2003, the European Union Parliament voted unanimously to ban the testing ofcosmetics on animals as well as the sale and import ofnew cosmetics tested on animals. The farming ofanimals for fur was recently banned in England. Switzerland passed an amendment in 1992, recognizing animals as beings and not things.

Mohandas Gandhi said, "The greatness ofa nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." Though animals are still very much 'things' in the eyes ofAmerican law, changes in the attitude ofthe American public are evident. Thirty seven states have recently passed laws making some forms ofanimal cruelty a crime. A ban on declawing is consistent with this evolving attitude and would make California a leader and a model in the field ofanimal welfare. Are tendonectomy (tenectomv) or laser surgerv more humane alternatives to conventional declaw surgery?

Tenectomy is a procedure in which the tendons in the toes are severed. The cat still has its claws, but is unable to control them. This procedure does not necessarily protect people from being scratched, and it is associated with a high incidence of abnormal claw growth and muscle atrophy. In a 1998 JAVMA article, Jankowski, et aI., concluded that "owners should be aware ofthe high complication rate for both [tendonectomy and declawing] procedures and ofthe need for constant trimming ofclaws ofcats that have undergone tenectomy." Jankowski also reported that 55% ofthe cats having tendonectomy were still able to scratch with their claws to some degree, and that 10% of the cat's owners had the cats declawed after the tendonectomy procedure for this reason. In March 2003, the AVMA stated that tendonectomy is "not recommended."

Dr. Wendy Feaga, a Maryland veterinarian, wrote in Veterinary Medicine (May 1998) regarding tendonectomy, "I hope this cruel practice is stopped immediately." She describes a post-tendonectomized cat that "had badly arthritic toes and did not move around comfortably. The toenails were thick and disfigured, and the toes were painful on palpation. I was horrified."

Lasers can be used in lieu ofa scalpel to perform declaw surgery, though the result ofthe procedure is the same. A study reported in the September 1,2002 issue ofthe Journal of the American Veterinary Association by Mison, et aI., found that lasers offered no benefit over the more conventional methods ofdeclawing, stating "differences in discomfort and complications between groups treated via scalpel versus C02 laser were not clinically relevant." In another study, Levy and others (1999) found that complications (bleeding, limping, swelling, infection) were generally worse in the laser onychectomy group, compared to blade onychectomy in the first 2 days after surgery. What are the potential complications ofdeclawing?

Pain.

While the immediate post-surgical pain that the cats suffer is obviously severe, it is impossible to know how much chronic pain and suffering declawing causes. However, one can consider simiiar procedures in people. Many human amputees report life-long, painful "phantom" sensations from the amputated part. Declawing is ten to eighteen separate amputations, so it is not unreasonable to believe that declawed cats experience phantom pain in one or more toes. Cats typically conceal pain or illness until it becomes unbearable. With chronic pain, it may be that they simply learn to live with it. Their behavior may appear normal, but a lack ofovert signs ofpain does not mean they are pain-free.

Post-surgical complications.

Lameness, abscesses, and regrowth ofthe claw can occur after surgery. In one report that studied cats for only five months after surgery, about 25% ofcats developed complications from both declaw and tenectomy surgeries (digital tenectomy or tendonectomy is a procedure, sometimes promoted as an "alternative" to declawing, where the tendons that extend the toes are cut).

Joint Stiffness.

In declawed (and tenectomized) cats, the tendons that control the toe joints retract after the surgery, and over time these joints become essentially "frozen." The toes can no longer be extended, but remain fully contracted for the lifetime ofthe cat. The fact that most cats continue to "scratch" after they are declawed is often said to "prove" that the cat does not "miss" its claws. However, this could also be explained by the cat's desperate desire to stretch those stiff, contracted joints.

Arthritis.

Researchers have shown that, in the immediate post-operative period, newly declawed cats shift their body weight backward onto the large central pad ofthe front feet and off the toes. This effect was significant even when strong pain medication was given, and remained apparent for the duration ofthe study (up to 40 hours after surgery). Ifthis altered gait persists over time, it would cause stress on the leg joints and spine, and could lead to damage and arthritic changes in multiple joints.

Litter box problems.

Many experts say that declawed cats have more litter box avoidance problems than clawed cats. It is not uncommon for declawed cat owners to trade scratched furniture for urine-soaked carpeting. In one survey, 95% ofcalls about declawed cats related to litter box problems, while only 46% ofclawed cats had such problems-and most ofthose were older cats, many with physical ailments that accounted for the behavior.

Biting.

Deprived of claws, a cat may tum to its only other line ofdefense-its teeth. Some experts believe that naturally aggressive cats that are declawed are likely to become biters.

Death.

There is always a small but real risk ofdeath from any general anesthesia, as well as from hemorrhage or other surgical complications. Declawing that results in biting or litter box avoidance may result in the cat being dumped at a shelter or simply abandoned. Iftaken to shelters, such behaviors make them unadoptable, and they will be destroyed. Many cats are exiled to a life outdoors because ofthese unwanted behaviors, even though declawed cats should not be allowed outside-their ability to defend themselves, and to escape danger by climbing, is seriously impaired. They also risk injury or death by dogs, cars, coyotes, poison, and other hazards ofoutdoor life. It is unfortunately common to have outdoor cats stolen and used as live bait to train fighting dogs, or sold to laboratories or biological suppliers. Is laser declawing okay?

Laser declawing causes less bleeding and swelling than other techniques. This reduces pain and complications in the first few days after surgery, but the long-term implications ofthe procedure remain the same.

Ifitis possible to repair the paws ofanimals in which the surgical outcome ofdeclawing has been unfavorable, why not teach veterinarians how to do restorative or remedial surgery on individuals whose outcomes are bad?

A small number ofdeclawed large and wild cats have had reparative paw surgery, which has resulted in significant improvement for the animals, but has not restored them to a nonnal condition. The surgery can take up to six hours to treat two paws, which significantly increases the inherent surgical risks. It has been perfonned on only a few domestic cats.

Declawing is perfonned solely for the convenience ofthe animal's owner. There is absolutely no benefit to the animal. Because declawing impairs the nonnal function ofan animal's feet, declawing can be considered to result in a bad outcome. It is much more practical not to declaw in the first place, than to attempt lengthy and risky reparative surgery later. WHO SAYS DECLAWING IS A BAD IDEA?

Declawing is illegal or considered inhumane in many countries around the world, including in the United Kingdom, the Republic ofNorthern Ireland, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil.

In the United States and throughout the world, many respected individuals and organizations are opposed to declawing.

The American Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org):

"The ASPCA does not approve ofthe declawing ofcats as a matter ofsupposed convenience to cat owners. It is form ofmutilation and it does cause pain."

The Humane Society ofthe United States (www.hsus.org):

"It is the policy ofThe Humans Society ofthe United States (HSUS) to oppose... declawing ofcats when done solely for the convenience ofthe owners and without benefit to the animal."

The Cat Fancier's Association (www.cfainc.org):

"The CFA perceives the declawing ofcats (onychectomy) and the severing ofdigital tendons (tendonectomy) to be elective surgical procedures which are without benefit to the cat. Because ofpostoperative discomfort or pain, and potential future behavioral or physical effects, CFA disapproves ofdeclawing or tendonectomy surgery."

Royal College ofVeterinary Surgeons, Great Britain (www.rcvs.org.uk):

The RCVS describes declawing as "mutilation." Further it states "the removal of claws...to preclude damage to furnishings is not acceptable."

"Claws are an integral part ofa cat's life...Dec1awing is a painful and permanently crippling procedure that should not be practiced."

Dr. Nicholas Dodman, author and professor, Tufts University School ofVeterinary Medicine:

"Declawing fits the dictionary definition ofmutilation to a tee."

In Defense ofAnimals (www.idausa.org): IDA opposes declawing, and in their publications state, "The excuses people use for wanting to dec1aw a cat are usually trivial, and nearly always put the well-being oftheir belonging above that ofthe cat."

Friends ofAnimals (www.friendsofanimals.org):

"Ifyou love your cat, don't declaw."

Dr. Louis Camuti, noted author and veterinarian:

"I wouldn't declaw a cat ifyou paid me $1000 per nail!"

Animal Protection Institute (www.api4animals.org):

"Please make the humane choice -- do not dec1aw."

The Association ofVeterinarians for Animal Rights (www.avar.org):

Dec1awing is "unacceptable because the suffering and disfigurement it causes is not offset by any benefits to the cat. Declawing is done strictly to provide convenience to people."

Animal Care and Control Department, City and County of San Francisco:

"Declawing is NOT the answer. Declawing is a painful and difficult operation. It is the same as removing the first joint on all your fingers. It impairs the cat's balance and causes weakness from muscular disuse."

Paul Rowen, DVM, Little Shelter Animal Sanctuary, New York:

"You can't declaw with love."

The Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals ofLos Angeles (www.spcala.com):

"We do NOT support, nor condone, the act ofdeclawing cats. It is cruel, unnecessary, and inhumane." • HOME • FAQs • ABOUTUS • YOU CAN HELP • GALLERY • NEWS CENTER • RESOURCES DECLAWING and PAW REPAIR SURGERY

Declawing

Big cats are declawed by their owners with the intention of making the animals less dangerous to handle. Typically, the owners are private collectors who are trying to make a household "pet" out of a feral feline that is, by nature, not a suitable pet. It is rare for public zoos to have declawed cats. Unfortunately, the tiger or cougar that was cute and playful as a cub can be dangerous as an adult, whether or not it has claws. A "pet" weighing several hundred pounds and eats twenty pounds of meat a day may no longer seem like such a good idea. These cats, victims of human ignorance or arrogance, are sometimes killed. The luckier ones find themselves abandoned or confiscated by authorities and become residents of an animal refuge. There are over a hundred such sanctuaries in the U.S. alone, housing thousands ofdeclawed big cats.

Declaw surgery is usually performed when the animal is a cub. While some felines will have immediate complications from the procedure, it may be many months or years before the damaging effects of declawing become obvious. Three basic declawing techniques have been described. The methods differ according to how the terminal bone of each toe (the third phalanx, or p3) is treated. The claw grows directly from nail forming tissue deep within this bone.

In the first method, the entire third phalanx is removed, severing all of the tendons that normally allow the cat to flex and extend the toes of its paws. In the second, most of the third phalanx is amputated, leaving a tendon (the deep digital flexor tendon) attached to the remaining portion (the flexor tubercle) on the underside ofthe paw. The third method is less often employed and is described as leaving the flexor and extensor tendons attached to the third phalanx, while removing only the nail-forming tissue from the bone. In actual practice, some of the nail-forming tissue usually remains. Each of the methods has reported advantages, but none is free ofproblems.

Cats normally walk with the weight of their bodies borne by their toes and each step is cushioned by the pad under the toe. Declawed cats have difficulty maintaining this posture for several reasons. The tendon attached to the retained segment of the third phalanx may pull that bit ofbone under the foot where it will act as a painful "pebble-in the-shoe." This piece of bone may contain remnants of the nail-forming tissue, and the nail may continue to grow deep with the foot, causing infection. The pad is often displaced backwards, toward the rear ofthe foot, allowing the weight ofthe cat's body to . push the end of the second toe bone (second phalanx, or p2), through the thinned tissue on the underside of the foot. These complications may occur in any combination, but invariably result in great pain.

To avoid the pain, the cats will attempt to put their weight farther back on their feet, in effect walking on their "wrists." The stresses caused by this abnormal stance and gait, take their toll as arthritis develops in the legs of the cats, further crippling them and making worse their suffering. In more severe and particularly heartbreaking cases, the animal will try to move by walking on their "elbows."

Paw Repair Surgery

Veterinary surgery poses particular challenges generally not encountered in human medicine. Just getting the animal to the operating room can be daunting. The cat is administered tranquilizing medication by means of a dart. When adequately sedated, the cat is taken from its enclosure to the operating room. It requires a crew of several people to carry the cat and position it on the operating table where monitors are attached to check the vital signs ofthe animal during its long general anesthetic.

After shaving the fur from the feet and scrubbing them with antiseptic soap, the surgeon makes an incision on the underside of the toe at the site of the former claw. The pad is avoided. In cases where part of third phalanx remains, the partially amputated bone is exposed, infected tissue and nail remnants are cleaned out, and the fragment is then grasped with surgical clamps to mobilize the deep digital flexor tendon. The fragment is removed and a heavy suture is placed in the remaining digital flexor tendon and attached into the extensor tendon on the top surface of the toe. Before the suture is secured, any cartilage remaining on the distal end ofthe second phalanx is removed and the end ofthe bone is re-contoured. Tightening the suture will reposition the pad nearer to its proper anatomical position. The incision is closed with tissue glue, and pressure wrap bandages are placed over the paws.

In cases where the third phalanx has been completely amputated, the surgical technique is similar except that the tendons may be more difficult to find. The second phalanx is re contoured and the pad is repositioned as described above.

If the cat has had all four of its feet declawed, which is the usual case, two separate surgical procedures are required. It is considered unsafe to subject a big cat to general anesthesia for the amount oftime required to treat all 18 toes (five on each front foot and four on each rear foot). The reparative surgery takes up to 40 minutes per toe, and a six hour surgery to repair two feet is not uncommon. The front feet are usually repaired first. Regrettably, the reparative surgery cannot replace what a human has destroyed. These cats will never have the full, normal function ofan animal with intact claws, and years of abnormal function may have caused irreversible arthritic changes in their joints.

Reattaching the tendons affords improved extension and flexion ofthe paws, so the cats can once again grasp objects. Reparative surgery enable cats to live free from the pain associated with chronic foot infections and many of the mangling effects of declaw surgery can be reversed. Our veterinarians report that after reparative surgery these magnificent creatures can run and jump where once they could barely hobble.

Dr. Conrad presented a paper describing a reparative technique for declawed big cats at the annual meeting of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians on October 7, 2002, in Madison, Wisconsin.

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Reparative surgery and rehabilitation ofa declawed lioness

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Dcc1awing nimal Welfare Position Statements - Declawing Captive Exotic and ... http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/animal_welfare/declawing_exotic.asp

Issues Search within Policies, Positions, Issues> Policy> Position statements> Animal welfare> Declawing exotic and wild cats Guidelines.

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General AVMA Declawing Captive Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Cats policies (Current as of June 2005) Position statements The AVMA opposes declawing captive exotic and other wild (indigenous) cats for Guidelines nonmedical reasons.

Most requested Animal welfare Compounding Rabies control ordinanace Use of antimictrobials Vaccination

• = AVMAlSAVMA Members Only

AVMA Home I Privacy Notice I About the AVMA AVMA Journals I JAVMA News I Discussion Groups I Professional Issues • Some files on this page require Adobe Acrobat Reader software. Click on the image American Veterinary Medical Association above to download it for free Copyright © 2006 from the Adobe site.

I of I 10/4/2006 4:02 PM .nimal Welfare Position Statements - Dec1awing of Domestic Cats http://www.avma.orglissues/policy/animal_welfare/declawing.asp

lof2 10/4/2006 4:03 PM \nimal Welfare Position Statements - Declawing of Domestic Cats http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/animal_welfare/declawing.asp

safe Polioy Issues Search within Policies, Positions, Issues> Policy> Position statements> Animal welfare> Declawing of domestic cats Guidelines.

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General AVMA Declawing of Domestic Cats policies ~Current as of June 2005) Position statements Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been Guidelines made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively or when its clawing presents a zoonotic risk for its owner(s). Most requested The AVMA believes it is the obligation of veterinarians to provide cat owners with Animal welfare complete education with regard to feline onychectomy. The following points are the Compounding foundation for full understanding and disclosure regarding declawing: Rabies control ordinanace • Scratching isa normal feline behavior, is a means for cats to mark their Use of antimictrobials territory both visually and with scent, and is used for claw conditioning ("husk" Vaccination removal) and stretching activity. • Owners must provide suitable implements for normal scratching behavior. .. = AVMAlSAVMA Examples are scratching posts, cardboard boxes, lumber or logs, and carpet or Members Only fabric remnants affixed to stationary objects. Implements should be tall or long enough to allow full stretching, and be firmly anchored to provide necessary resistance to scratching. Cats should be positively reinforced in the use of these implements. Some files on this page • Appropriate claw care (consisting of trimming the claws every 1 to 2 weeks) require Adobe Acrobat Reader should be provided to prevent injury or damage to household items. software. Click on the image • Surgical declawing is not a medically necessary procedure for the cat in most above to download it for free from the Adobe site. cases. While rare in occurrence, there are inherent risks and complications with any surgical procedure including, but not limited to, anesthetic complications, hemorrhage,infection, and pain. If onychectomy is performed, appropriate use of safe and effective anesthetic agents and the use of safe peri-operative analgesics for an appropriate length of time are imperative. The surgical alternative of tendonectomy is not recommended. • Declawed cats should be housed indoors. • Scientific data do indicate that cats that have destructive clawing behavior are more likely to be euthanatized, or more readily relinquished, released, or abandoned, thereby contributing to the homeless cat population. Where scratching behavior is an issue as to whether or not a particular cat can remain as an acceptable household pet in a particular home, surgical onychectomy may be considered. • There is no scientific evidence that declawing leads to behavioral abnormalities when the behavior of declawed cats is compared with that of cats in control groups.

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20f2 10/4/20064:03 PM \.nimal Welfare Position Statements - Removal or Reduction ofTeeth ... http://www.avma.org/issues/policy/animal_welfare/teeth_removal_can...

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General AVMA Removal or Reduction of Teeth as'a Treatment for Canine policies Aggression Position statements (Current as of June 2005) Guidelines The AVMA is opposed to removal or reduction of healthy teeth of dogs as a treatment for canine aggression. This approach to managing aggression does not address the Most requested cause of the behavior. The welfare of the patient may be adversely affected because the animal is subjected to dental procedures that are painful, invasive,and do not Animal welfare address the problem. Removal or reduction of teeth for nonmedical reasons may also Compounding create oral pathologic conditions. Rabies control ordinanace Use of antimictrobials In addition, dogs may still cause severe injury with any remaining teeth, and removal or reduction of teeth may provide owners with a false sense of security. Injury Vaccination prevention and the welfare of the dog are best addressed through behavioral assessment and modification by a qualified behaviorist. • = AVMAlSAVMA Members Only

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of I 10/4/20064:04 PM nimal Welfare Position Statements - Removal or Reduction ofCanin... http://www.avma.orglissues/poIicy/animal_weIfare/teeth_removal.asp

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View all Position statements General AVMA policies Removal or Reduction of Canine Teeth in Captive Nonhuman Position statements Primates or Exotic and Wild (Indigenous) Carnivores (Current as of June 2005) Guidelines The AVMA is opposed to removal or reduction of canine teeth in captive nonhuman Most req uested primates or exotic and wild (indigenous) carnivores, except when required for medical treatment or scientific research approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Animal welfare Committee. Reduction that does not expose the pulp cavity may be acceptable. Compounding Removal of these teeth or reduction.that exposes the pulp cavity, without endodontic . Rabies control ordinanace treatment, may result in oral pathologic conditions and pain.

Use of antimictrobials To minimize bite wounds, recommended alternatives to dental surgery include Vaccination behavioral modification, environmental enrichment, and changes in group composition " = AVMAlSAVMA Members Only

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ofl 10/4/2006 4:04 PM DELETERIOUS EFFECTS OF ONYCHECTOMY (DECLAWING) IN EXOTIC FELIDS AND A REPARATIVE SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: A PRELIMINARY REPORT

Jennifer Conrad, DVM,' Kirk Wende[burg, DV.M,' Silvio Sa/ltilleUi, MVZ,' and Anna Park, ABJ JWildlife Waxstatior" 14831 Little Tujunga Canyo/l Road,A?geles /VatiOllal Forest, CA 91342-5999 USA; JAnimal Speciall)' Grol,lP, 4641 Colorado Boulevard, Los Angeles,CA90039 USA

Abstract

Onychectomy, or declawing, is a controversial and morbid procedure when used in the management ofexotic felids. There are three basic techniques, all ofwhich lead to significant gait disturbances and boney defonnities. Althoughe~chmeth()d of onychectomy has a purported rationale, every declawed animal we have.encountered manifests some degree ofdysfunction, such as abnonnal standing confonnation and the.l;low. and painful placement ofpaws during arnbulation. Fourteen declawed exotic felidl; Withm(jrbidsequelaeofonychectomy have been treated with a reparative surgical technique. Over 90 percent ofthese aninlals have exhibited markedly improved gait and stance.

Introduction

Onychectomy is a popular technique used in the management ofexotic felids. Three basic methods have been described. In the first (method one), the entire third phalanx ofeach digit is removed.2In the second (method two), most ofthe third phalanx is amputated, leaving the deep digital flexor tendon attached to the remaining flexor tubercle? The third (method three) is described as leaving the flexor and extensor tendons attached to the third phalanx, while removing the hom-fonning l tissue on the ungual crest. .2 Each of the methods has reported advantages, but none is fiee of adverse sequelae.

While proponents ofmethod one accurately claim that complete removal ofthe third phalanx (P3) minimizes potential ofsubsequent infection and trauma caused by the retained bone fragment,2 the disruption offlexor and extensortendons, as well as the abnonnal position ofthe second phalanx (p2), cause digital pad pathology and loss offunction, namely flexion and extension ofthe paw.

Method two supporters argue that the deep digital flexor tendon should be preserved.3 While this allows for Some flexion ofthe paw, without the counter action of the extensor tendon, the flexor pulls the fragment of p3 proximally under p2. This causes digital pad pathology as well as discomfort for the animal as it attempts to walk on the remaining bone,2 which acts like a "pebble in the shoe."

Advocates of method three correctly state that paw integrity will be maintained with flexor and extensor tendon preservation, Because ofthe nature ofthe feline claw,' however, it is impossible to remove all ofthe hom-secreting tissue without removing the majority ofp3.2 Subsequent nail

16 2002 PROCEEDINGS AMERlCAN ASSOCIAnON OF ZOO VETERINARIANS regrowth and abscess formation can be expected.

The Wildlife Waystation is home to more than 130 big cats. Onychectomy is not performed at our mcility, but many animals have been declawed prior to their arrival. Every one of these cats has suffered to some degree from the crippling effects of declaw surgery. These effects have been ameliorated by the new reconstructive surgery described in this paper. To date, we have repaired thirty-four paws with significant improvement in function and apparent reduction in pain.

Normal anatomy ofthe claw is provided in Figs.·1 and 2.

t cougars, three tigers, two leopards, and one lion have had either their front feet, orboth their and back feet repaired. Preoperative measurements ofpad size and subjective ratings ofpaw suppleness and integrity were made. Radiographs, and in some cases, magnetic resonance es, were used to assess the status ofp2 and p3 and the presence ofpathology, including soft infection, osteomyelitis, bone degeneration and arthritis. In the front paws oftwo cougars, p3 een completely amputated in the initial declaw surgery. In the frOnt paws ofthe remaining six s, p3 had been only partially amputated. In two animals there was significant nail regrowth subsequent abscess formation. All three tigers had only partial anlputations ofp3, with one I having significant nail regrowth and abscess formation. Both leopards had only partial tions of p3, one with abscess formation. The lion had partial amputation of p3 with uent abscess formation due to nail regrowth.

. al video recordings have been taken ofthe animals walking before and after the surgery. The is used to monitor changes in the animals' ability to walk, jump and climb.

eparation for surgical repair ofthe declawed feet, paws are clipped tothe carpus, including the of the former nail. Chlorhexidine solution is then sprayed on the paw before the Esmarch ge tourniquet is wrapped from the distal paw towards the antebrachium ina binding manner k blood from the paw. Care must be taken to apply pressure over a broad area to avoid nerve . The tourniquet is then released from the distal end toward the proximal to expose the paw. a complete surgical scrub, an incision approximately 3 cm in length is made from the dorsal t ofthe paw to the palmar aspect at the site ofthe fonner nail. The pad must be avoided. In the where part ofp3 remains, the partially amputated bone is exposed via blunt dissection, any lent material is debrided and the fragment is then grabbed with A-O reduction forceps to lize and exteriorize the deep digital flexor tendon. A cruciate suture (OPDS) is placed in the ining digital flexor tendon and attached dorsally into the extensor tendon, or ifthe latter cannot entified, into the remaining tissue in the extensor groove of the second phalanx. Before the e is secured, the cartilage that remains on the distal end ofp2 is removed byrongeur. The suture n tightened to reposition the pad nearer to its proper anatomic position relative to p2. The sion is closed with tissue glue. Pressure wrap bandages are placed over the paws with tabs for 17 deep digital ftexilr tendon

Figure 1. Nonna! anatomy, claw.

Figure 2. Nonnal anatomy, claw.

2002 PROCEEDINGS AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO VETERINARIA ountries where declawing cats is illegal or inhumane http://www.declawing.com/lisLhtml

The following is a list of countries in which declawing cats is either illegal or considered extremely inhumane and only performed under extreme circumstances.

England Scotland Wales Italy France Germany Austria Switzerland Norway Sweden Netherlands Northern Ireland Ireland Denmark Finland Slovenia Portugal Belgium Spain Brazil Australia New Zealand

Please email me me ifyou can add to this list.

De-Clawing Allternoitive FOR MORE INFO BACK

ofl 10/4/2006 10:55 AM t'/& many cat lovers declawing is ( f~mtching behaviour is a normal and unconscionable. Many veterinarians will not - . natural part of a cat's existence. It is used to perfmmthe procedure, it is outla\ved in condition the c1>n.vs. as a territorial mark. and some countries, and there is currently no as a mechanism for stretching and toning the animal \velfare organization that condones back and shoulder muscles. c\ cat's claws are also the practice.·Despite the nonsurgical their primary defence and provide good traction, alternatives that exist, manypeople still view allowing rapid acceleration and sharp turns while this as a preventative procedure that is running and bestowing climbing ability. necessary for a cat to be a "good pet." It is To best examine the issue of dedawing, it is tlus last viewpoint that so many cat lovers essential to understand the procedure as it is applied in pnlcrice. First, the cat is given a general find infuriating. Cats are already wonderful anaesthetic and the fur surrounding the eat's paws companions. They do not require any is shaved off.•-\ tourniquet is placed around the surgical modifications to become the leg. and the nail area is rinsed with alcohoL The companions they arc known as worldwide. actual amputation is performed by making a cut As many, who have authorized having their across the first joint (possibly involving the foot cat declawed, will freely adnut, it was done pad) using a guillotine type nail cutter. The area to prevent damage to their furniture. Cats is then tightly bandaged to prevent haemorrhage. represent a livlng, thinking, feeling, entity; The bandaging can be removed two to three days how can we ever place their welfare on the after the surgery. same balance as that ofour furniture? Decla\ving is inhumane. Although, Two fundamental statements provide the basis for discussing this issue: First, that it is morally scientifically, there have been no decisive wrong to surgically alter any being, without long-term studies to research the his/her consent, unless for medical necessity, behavioural effects, declawing represents a or to provide a health benefit when consent is clear and undisputable risk to the cat. No impossible. Second, that all species are equal in their one has the right to mutilate another, for Despite frequent discussion, right to be treated with respect and compassion, their own personal gaul. feline otldlyectOfJ!y (declawing) thus obligating us to provide this respect and remains a source ofconfusion for many. (/)Y-' ltv!! rllm{.f'I': compassion to anyone under our care.

This brochure \\Till examine this a .ftaNce... controversial procedure and the implications facing a cat, Since scratching is a natural behaviour of cats, we must be prepared to accept this behaviour along on wluch it is performed. with the cat. Despite the fact that most cats will use designated scratching posts when pr()\"ided. we must accept that occasional damage to our material belongings may result. The solution t:o this is not to mutilate the cat. but to learn acceptance. If scratching is a problem for people, it is their

Rrib(;,h Cc,ItJrnbi':l, C;"!{l,1dr1 WW\ftj,ff·:1 inccdliGlt.i:Y\Org L-~ ~=__~~"~".'-""~~_'~'h.~~._,__~__~,.""'~'W~~~VA""'_~ .."",="~,,,""'W~_·MW~~'· __' Proponents of declawing defend this procedure However, as they have been deprived of their primary 3.) "H01V do )'Olf jtlJ/tb' llelllm'lll, {l.mrgiml with several common assertions: source of defence - their claws - declawed cats often alteration iJ .mppomllo be .1'0 bad; it iJ on!): done resort to biting when they feel threatened. '\lany for htfllJi711 colIIJellietlce - to amid sprc?yi,t.g and 1.) "Dedtllvillg'do£'J flothiltg to harm th£' mt': groomers and 'Veterinarians agree, that declawed cats are far more difficult to handle, both because of the {//lflqying heatperiodr {t!!)']J!(!Y. " The failing of this argument is, that without increased incidence ofbiting, and due to a lack ofself When approached form a purely logical standpoint, guestion, declawing certainly increases the risk of confidence resulting for the loss of their favoured this becomes a difficult question. long term harm to t"he cat - and most definitely defence mechanism. ~helters are also often forced to causes short term harm. On(~yedoI1D' in cats i~ euthanize declawed cats that have been surrendered First, one must accept that keeping companion used by pharmaceurical companies to test pain because of this type of aggressive behaviour. animals is not inherently bad in itself. If this is killers, as it is one of the most painful procedures taken as a truth, then we as humans, become that can be performed. Just consider that" it has \X!ith all these risks, one ,vould like to compare them responsible for the wellbeing of their species. This includes providing birth control, as is necessary to been (and still is, in some places) \,lSed as a form to the benefit that the cat experiences - unfOltunately preserve the health of that species. For animals, of torture with humans. there are none. three possible birth control options currently exist: The surgery, if not performed correctly, can ca,rtratioll (neutering) or /laJectotl1)' for males, result in many detriment"al effects. Any general olJariol!)',rleredol1!y (spaying) or tubal ligation for anaesthetic puts a living organism al risk. If the 2.) 'Tf! do not dedmv the mt; 1 IJlould have to .rumnder females, or forced abstinence. C:astratioll and bandages are put on 1'00 tightly the foot can it to the POlllld, and it will like!)' be ettthanized." 01J(l1io~ysterectoll1)'provides birth control, but become gangrenous, and necessitat"e amput"ation it also shapes a cat through a surgical means to of the leg. In many instances one or more claws This argument is used by many, but when considered fit better into our human society, as the entire will begin to regrow, causing extreme pain, or if in depth, it is simply countered with the old adage: reproductive organs are removed, and the hormone either the trimmer is dull or l·he cat's nail is brittle, "two wrongs don't make a right"..i\mputating a cat's flow, which governs sexual behaviour, is ceased. the bone may shatter. This is called a .req1feJtrtlI11, toes is just as wrong as surrendering a cat simply r'asedolJ?Y and tuball~g{/tioll provide birth control which becomes a sight for irritation and continuous because he/she no longer fits in with his/her person's while leaving the reproductive organs as intact drainage from the roe. This can only be corrected lifestyle, or having a cat euthanized because it was as possible, and therefore not altering the eat's by another surgical procedure. acting as a car should. It is easy to justify one natural behaviour. Ho,vever, this alternative is ~ome ~y.rlitiJ chronic, physical ailments, including inhumanity because it may be better then another not recommended for female cats due to their and skin disorders have been traced to the period inhumane option, but both are unnecessary, and reproduction biology. Forced abst"inence should immediately follmving this surgery. Theories also neither is justifiable. only be chosen as a short term solution. Intact suggest" possible effects t"o the cat's weight bearing tomcats are compelled by physiological changes to and movement kinetics. mate. Forcing them not to mate causes them undue There is no evidenceeitherway as to the long term stress and discomfort. The eggs of an intact queen beha....ioural effects a declawed cat mayor may not (female cat) ,vho is not permitted to mate, and experience, and much anecdotal e....idence exists to therefore can not o'V"Ulate. become encysted in her support both viewpoints. ovaries. which may lead to cancerous tumours. Unlike dec1awing, any form of sterilisation provides a net benefit for the feline species' and is therefore justifiable.

(/!rf{(),f. al'c (flf fill!)(JI'!{(ll{jr:a/((/,(,tli;/c ('(rI.;' (mal()/~I~. '!/1.('.l'(JI(I,(,(~\', 10 ;/('I/J (I('(l!{()r!;/ (l ('{!I.!' {Ic.wi'f' 1(1 ((,fC I/It'//I. a/'c a/{IIt',f,\'. Declawing and Its Alternatives

WHAT DECLAWING IS

Declawing, or onychectomy, is an amputation ofthe toe at the last joint. This removes the claw and the bone from which it originates. On a human hand this would be an amputation at the knuckle just above the nail. It is not just removal ofthe claw as many people think.

THE PROCEDURE

Some veterinarians administer injectable antibiotics, narcotic pain medication and sedatives. The cat is anesthetized or chemically restrained, the paws are prepared by cleaning, disinfection and sometimes clipping the hair. Using one ofa variety of techniques the toes are amputated at the last joint. The incision site is either left open, sutured or glued closed. Usually bandages are applied from toe to mid foreleg and left in place for one to three days. When the bandages are removed cats are sent home with instructions to use some form oflitter box filler that won't stick to the incisions such as shredded newspaper.

THE CASE FOR DECLAWING

Some cats are destructive offurniture and carpeting, attack other cats in the house, attack the owner or children or inadvertently snag their claws on the owner or children. People who are immunocompromised (are HIV positive or undergoing chemotherapy) are sometimes worried about infections caused by cat scratches.

THE CASE AGAINST DECLAWING

Declawing can be painful, disfiguring, cause lameness and psychological trauma. There is no agreement among veterinarians and some would characterize the procedure as merely "uncomfortable". Inability to defend oneselffrom cats dogs and an inability to climb trees have been cited as reasons not to declaw outdoor cats. Possible surgical complications include: inadvertent removal ofpart ofa digital pad, incomplete removal ofthe nailbed and partial regrowth ofthe nail, infection, rare anesthetic complications and prolonged healing time in older cats. Additionally some people feel that declawing is a surgery ofconvenience for the owner on the order ofear cropping and tail docking.

ALTERNATlVES TO DECLAWING

Behavioral modification - my personal favorite. Ifthe cat stops clawing inappropriately then one has a cure. The drawback is that it requires some concentrated vigilance and action on the part ofthe owner. Initial attempts often fail and require persistance, inventiveness and willingness to try a number ofdifferent techniques. These techniques range from covering items in foil, using a squirt bottle, verbal admonishment and showing the legal scratching surface to smacking the offender when caught in the act. Frequently cats stop doing things ifthey know they make you angry which requires some display ofanger even ifit is just yelling. Crude but sometimes effective and certainly cheap.

Soft Paws - This product consists ofblunt plastic sheaths which are "Superglued" onto the nail. They need to be replaced as they fall off.

Nail Clipping - This is the lowest tech treatment ofthe problem. It does however require people to learn to do it themselves or bring cats to the veterinarian or groomer to have it done. It is not difficult ifthe cat is reasonable. Cats may however continue to claw and can still do some damage.

Tendonotomy - Not new but lately an increasingly used surgical technique. It is reputed to be more humane than declawing and nearly as effective. This surgery consists of severing the deep digital flexor tendon through a small incision on the underside ofeach toe. The feet are otherwise left intact. Severance ofthis tendon means the cat can no longer voluntarilyextrude the claw. The feet are generally not bandaged and cats go horne thatday or the following day. Tendonotomized cats need to have their nails clipped every two to four months or they can become overgrown and inadvertently snag on carpeting etc. Ifthis solution does not work to the owner's satisfaction the cat can be declawed at a later time.

DISCUSS THE ABOVE

Discuss the above with your veterinarian. Ifthey disagree with me that will be par for the course. Three veterinarians will give you four opinions ofanything. The Ethics of Declawing is discussed elsewhere at this site.

The Ethics ofDeclawing

DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING ARE MY OPINIONS AND DO NOT NECESSARILY REPRESENT THE OPINIONS OF THE VETERINARY COMMUNITY. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY BIASED. IF THEY ARE INACCURATE OR INCOMPLETE I WOULD APPRECIATE CORRECTION OR COMPLETION BY E-MAIL

The Controversy

The declawing ofcats continues to be a highly charged issue among cat owners and veterinarians. There are owners who sacrifice their furniture rather than declaw a cat and owners who declaw all their cats pre-emptively. There are veterinarians who will refuse to declaw cats and others who have no qualms about it whatever. Most cat owners and most veterinarians will declaw cats but with some misgivings. Even among veterinarians who have no qualms about declawing it remains an uncomfortable issue because owners frequently ask discomfiting questions.

What The Procedure Is

It is technically called an onychectomy and constitutes an amputation ofthe toe at the last joint. This removes the claw and the bone from which it originates. On a human hand this would be an amputation at the knuckle just above the nail.

Common Arguments in Favor

Cats are destructive to furniture, cats attack other cats in the house, cats attack the owner or children, cats inadvertently snag their claws on the owner or children. The owner has HIV or is otherwise immunocompromised.

Common Arguments Against

Recovery from the procedure is painful. Some veterinarians think it is excruciatingly painful, some characterize it as "uncomfortable". Surgical complications: Inadvertent removal ofpart ofa digital pad, incomplete removal ofthe nail bed and partial regrowth ofthe nail, infection, rare anesthetic complications. Also cited are disfigurement ofthe feet, lameness for inapparent reasons, long healing time in older cats, psychological trauma, inability to defend oneselffrom other cats, inability to climb outdoors, though some cats can still climb. Some people feel that it is a surgery ofconvenience for the owner on the order ofear cropping and tail docking.

Ethical Considerations

Please note thatthese considerations are very different from those generally discussed in relation to declawing. These are the philosophical arguments underlying the common ones. Even though these considerations seem abstract most positions that people take with respect to declawing are based on the following:

Is it permissible to subordinate the welfare ofone species to another? Is it permissible to impose one's will on a member ofanother species at all? Is it permissible to impose one's will on a member ofanother species "for his/her own good". Ifit is permissible to impose one's will on a member ofanother species "for his/her own good" how far is one entitled to go before violating this trust? Who is entitled to make the decison and on what authority?

No Moral Hierarchy

Ifone believes that there is no moral hierarchy on earth, we were all just put here together or we all just evolved here together then there is no defensible argument justifying cats hamstringing humans to prevent them from exercising their filthy habits, e.g. killing and torturing other humans by the millions, polluting the oceans and atmosphere, filling wrecking yards with dead cars and exploiting children for financial gain. The reverse argument makes equal sense; humans have no right to incarcerate and surgically alter cats to prevent them from e):(ercising their filthy habits. The argument that cats have an inherent right to protect their planet from destruction only holds as far as making us stop that destruction but does not extend to merely offensive activities. This argument does not work well in reverse because to avoid direct damage by cats all we have to do is refrain from handling them.

Moral Hierarchy

If, however, one believes that there is a moral hierarchy on earth, that is some species are more equal than others and are worth more than others either inherently or in the eyes of a god, then the argument becomes more complicated. I have notyet heard a convincing argument which endows humans with moral superiority, and the right to control and manipulate other species for our own benefit, that does not invoke God or a god as the grantor ofthose rights. This argument, in the western world, usually devolves into a discussion ofwhether God or a god exists, whether the bible is in fact the literal word of God and whether the interpretation ofthe words written there should be taken as carte blanche rulership over other species or "stewardship". Benign Captivity

Are we entitled to keep cats indoors, breed them, declaw them? Ifyou believe in biblical carte blanche, no problem. We're better, we're more important, they're here for us. Ifyou don't or are not so sure then the question becomes one ofwhere to draw the line, how do you justify each infringement on their freedom. Keeping a cat indoors? They live longer, they suffer fewer infectious diseases and, as my veterinarian friend makes the case, one is protecting native bird species from them*. Personally I can almost buy the argument. If we are entitled to do what is necessary "for their own good" and to protect ourselves that would probably entitle us to feed them, vaccinate them, spay and castrate them to prevent overpopulation. All these things are arguabley advantageous to cats as a species.

Obligations

Having decided to keep these animals in the house most people (excusing those with biblical carte blanche) would agree that they are obliged to ameliorate the conditions of their captivity by keeping the litter box clean, feeding them, keeping them free offleas and other external and internal parasites. That's easy, but what does one do about those activities which are perfectly normal but offensive to us; scratching the furniture, tearing up the carpet, scratching people, spraying and digging in the plants? The remedies to hese offenses in no way benefit the cat, they only benefit people. Whether you subscribe to rationale A, B or C-

(A) We can do whatever we want with them because we're entitled. (B) We're keeping them indoors for their own good. (C) We're not so sure where we stand ethically but we like cats indoors.

- the practico-ethical question becomes how far are we going to go to get what we want, relief from this noxious behavior. My answer is this: Do the least damaging thing to the cat which will get you what you want. Since we are discussing the justification for declawing let's forget the other offenses.

Remedies Ranked

1. Not all cats are destructive. Let them be innocent until proven guilty; give them scratching posts, scratching pads, cat trees and show them how to use them. 2. Behavioral modification - successful behavioral modification constitutes a cure, no more problems. It requires, however, concentrated vigilance and action. Initial attempts often fail and require persistence, inventiveness and willingness to try a number ofdifferent techniques. 3; Nail Clipping - Low tech and relatively simple but you have to do it or get your veterinarian or groomer to do it. Not fool proof. They can still do some limited damage but sometimes get out ofthe habit of scratching because it's not the same without the tips. 4. Soft Paws™ - This product consists ofblunt plastic sheaths which are "Superglued" onto the nails. They need to be replaced as they fall off. 5. Tendonotomy - Surgical procedure, not new but currently in vogue. Prevents extrusion ofthe claws and scratching. Reputed to be more humane, less painful than declawing but requires clipping the nails every two to four months so they don't grow long and catch on things. 6. Declawing.

The Real Issue

For most people the real issue is not whether it is ethical to declaw a cat, the real issue is whether they are going to spend the time and energy to seek alternatives. For many people a cat is an accessory to their lifestyle or a concession to one oftheir children. Declawing the cat only costs money, training the cat requires attention. Frequently the latter is in shorter supply than the former. This is symptomatic ofowning too much and doing too many things to do justice to any ofthem. Being in this trap myselfI understand it. Maybe someone with a way out will write in and help us all.

*One veterinarian I know is violently opposed to allowing cats outdoors. Cats kill many birds some ofwhich are indigenous species; domestic cats are not. This veterinarian would certainly agree that pet cats should be indoors.

International Society for Endangered Cats http://everything2.com/index.pl?nodeJd=128911 O&displaytype=print...

International Society for Endangered Cats

(thing)by~ 4 CIs Sun Apr 212002 at 20:04:39

One Monday nigh!, about 70 !!l students and Bloomington,-lli residents had a face-to-face encounter with a survivor ofthe international drug wars. A native ofJndia or perhaps Pakistan, he is a lean, handsome fellow known simply as Bunga.

He glared at the people who came to see him and growled. And then he ignored everybody and started playing with a feathered )Job on a string.

"Bunga was confiscated in a drug bust," explained John Becker, executive director ofthe Jnternational Society for Endangered Cats (lSEe).

ISEC was founded in 1988 as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the conservation ofthe 36 species ofcats that live in the wild throughout the world. Most ofthese species are endangered, some critically. ISEC is based inColumbus, OH and their ~".'_~.!?.s.ite is at http://www.isec.org/.

Becker said that Bunga, a member ofthe species Felis chelliS (more commonly known as the reed or jungle cat), was captured and taken from his native country by drug sl~1ugglers who were trading in Qlack market goods such aS9xotic ~nimals.

Bunga ended up at the house of a~ir!:!R-~_~.'lJ~Ewho mistakenly thought a ~H~ S:~'!! would make a cool Q.9J.. To protect himselfand his furniture, the dealer had Bunga declawed, but whoever did it botched the job. Becker said that as a result ofthe declawing, Bunga sometimes walks with a limp, and he Can never be returned to the wild.

That is the main reason why Bunga has become one of Becker's four show-and-tell wild cats that he brings with him to his educational presentations. Becker said that during one J8-month period, he gave programs on the plight ofendangered cats to more than 400 different schools and organizations around the U.S.

With Becker's speaking schedule, it's no wonder Bunga seemed a bit grumpy as Becker and his assistant coaxed him out ofhis cat carrier. But once he was out in the lights ofthe auditorium, it was easy to see why the drug dealer wanted him -- he's 20 pounds oflithe mll~cle covered in ~atiny black fur. Add in his big golden eyes and gravelly meow, and he's a kitty many ~_~\,et.

And Bunga is truly E~!..£. Jungle~?!s, which originally ranged from Egypt to SOilthe?g.Asi'!, are endaI~g~~ed due to habitat loss and the ~~~?!if pet trade. Becker said that only 21 jungle cats live in zoos around the United States. In addition, Bunga is a comparatively uncommon melanistic (black) animal; regular jungle cats have tawny fur.

"When we take animals like this out into educational programs, we're concerned that some people will think that a S::~ like this would make a neat pet," Becker said. "wild animals like this never, ever make good pets. We hear stories every single day of people who try to turn a wild cat into a pet who get hurt."

Before he brought out Bunga, Becker started his presentation with a slide show on endangered cats. Audience members saw everything from the rusty-spotted cat, which barely weighs 2.5 pounds full-grown, to the biggest ofthe big cats, the Siberian tiger, which can weigh up to 800 pounds. He also showed slides ofrare exotic felines few people have even heard of, such as the Ilat~headed c'!!, whose big-eyed face almost looks like that ofa monkey.

"There are some major factors in these animals becoming endangered," Becker said. "One is that people are still making fur coats out ofthem."

He paused to show a slide ofa smiling shopkeeper in Nepal proudly displaying floor-length coatsmade from the skins of clouded and snow leopards.

"The sad fact is, the rarer these animals are, the more theirfurs are worth, and the more diligently some people try to kil! them," Becker said.

He added that habitat destruction is another major factor in the decline ofthese animals. "When I was in Belize, we were going down this highway, and on one side ofthe road it was beautiful forest, and on the other side it was just a blackened waste."

He later learned the forest was being burned down to plant citrus trees.

lof2 10/4/2006 II: 17 AM International Society for Endangered Cats http://everything2.com/index.pl?nodejd=1289110&displaytype=print...

He said the loss ofthese cat species would be a tragedy not only because oftheir beauty but because they are top-level predators critical to maintaining the planet's ecology. Without them, the populations ofother animals such as rats and deer may grow out ofcontrol, causing other problems such as de-vegetation.

Becker said that while there are many other wildlife protection groups that deal with wild cats, such as Project Tiger and the International Snow Leopard Trust, ISEC is the only group concerned woth all 360fthe planet's endangered cat species.

He said that ofthose 36, people mostly focus on the seven big cat species, so it's up to ISEC to raise awareness ofthe smaller cats that are in trouble. In addition to giving educational programs, ISEC works with these other groups and raises money for .scientific research efforts around the world. Some ofthe projects ISEC has partially funded include the Global Q!..~tah Project, which examines the condition ofcheetahs all over Africa, and an ongoing bobcat study at Mississippi State University.

Becker said ISEC is particularly interested in increasing captive breeding programs around the U.S. He said most species' populations are so low in the wild, the only hope for saving them lies in building up captive populations so that someday the cats can be reintroduced into the wild, as was successfully done with the black-footed ferret and the California condor.

"Unfortunately, we only have 6 species survival plans for 37 species," he said. "We don't even have a game plan for saving most ofthese cats."

He said it has become necessary for scientists to actively search for cats in the wild to capture so that they can be sure they have a viable gene pool to breed from.

"Lots ofwild cats don't breed well when they're left to their own devices in captivitv," he said.

To address this problem, some research groups, such as the Center for the Reproduction ofendangered wildlife at the Cincinnati Zoo, are focusing on fertility-enhancing procedures such as creating in vitro wild cat embryos for implantation into 49mestic cats.

Becker said such measures may be too late for some species. He said even though most public interest has gone toward saving big s;ats like !!2!!S and !!K~S, they are heading on the dow!1]Nard_~'pir~ to,:"ard extinction.

http://everything2.coml?node=InternationaI+Society+for+Endangered+Cats http://everything2.coml?node_id=1289110

~ of2 10/4/200611:17 AM Big Cat Fact Sheet Wild Animals are NOT Pets Adopt a Pet, Not a Problem

Problem; It is estimated that there are 10,000 to 20,000 large, wild cats in private ownership in the United States. By their nature, large cats (lions, tigers, cougars, jaguars, cheetahs, and panthers) do not make good pets. Keeping large, wild and exotic cats as pets is both dangerous for people and inhumane for animals.

Facts: • There have been multiple incidents ofinjury and death. For • Few people have the facilities or expertise to care for these example, in two separate incidents, a 3 year old boy and a 9 year dangerous wild animals and most large cats live out their lives old girl were killed by pet tigers in Texas. Another toddler had alone in squalid, cramped enclosures. his ann bitten offby a pet tiger, and a 4 year old boy in New York underwent plastic surgery on his face after he was attacked • There are no federal regulations in the U.S. banning or by a 40-pound pet serval being taken for a walk. controlling private ownership oflarge cats, or exotic animal ownership in general. Twelve states ban private possession of • The average pet owner cannot provide appropriate housing, exotic animals, seven states have a partial ban, and fifteen secure containment, adequate nutrition, appropriate medical care require a license or permit. and cannot meet the complex social, emotional, and behavioral requirements of large, wild cats.

• Many large cats suffer from painful declawing and dental extractions for the sole purpose ofmaking them less dangerous pets. • Never buy a large, wild cat for a pet.

• Tiger cubs bred in captivity are typically separated from their • Do not patronize substandard unaccredited facilities that exhibit large cats. mothers when they are just days old and soon after are declawed. In the wild, cubs can stay with their mothers for three years. • Report suspected dangerous housing or abuse of large, wild cats to local humane societies or • Adult cats that have been kept as pets are often discarded and can animal control ofticers. end up in substandard roadside zoos and pseudo-sanctuaries, or with some other private owner. Some are killed for their organs, • Support appropriate legislation to regulate the body parts, and meat. ownership ofwild animals as pets.

• Unregulated breeding oflarge cats-particularly tigers--decreases the genetic viability ofthe species. These animals are ofno use to accredited zoo breeding programs or to the wild gene pool. These animals cannot be released into the To learn more about CWAPC wild. please contact [email protected] !\rnby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html

DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives

DECLAWING RESOURCE SECTION INDEX: ISSUES: :MedicaI, ethical, andbehavioraJ issues

ALTERNATIVES: Training & Nail Trimming Instructions Instructions for Building Scratching Posts & Cat Trees

"Saving cats' toes -- one owner at a time.... "

Do you know someone who needs to be convinced that this is NOT a good idea?

MEDICAL, ETHICAL, and BEHAVIORAL ISSUES

Declawing! \Vhat You Need To Know Flyer from the All States Burmese Society which gives detailed, factual information as well as positive suggestions. The information may be copied and distributed, unchanged, with proper credit. It is also available in PDF format which provides an outstanding printed version: Declawing!\Vhat You Need To Know mNOTE: To open this file, you need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, which you can Qg!~~1}12.1~SL.t9.L.1'l.:~~; then r configure your browser to launch Acrobat whenever you download a pdffile. CHIN HILLS TRADITIONAL BURMESE http://arnby.com/catsite/dc-wvntk.html

Declawing ofCats This outstanding article examines the controversial procedure and the impact it can have on the cat; it is also available in PDF format which provides an outstanding printed version: Countering arguments for de-Clawing. ~ NOTE: To open this file, you need Adobe's Acrobat Reader, which you can S!~!:':Y.I)J.~l<'l\J....!2Xl.t~.~; then l.l:J configure your browser to launch Acrobat whenever you download a pdffile. Scott Baker

lofl4 10/4/200610:57 AM \mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/dec1aw.html

http://w\vw.felinefuture.com/catcare/declawing.php

SURGICAL eLA\V REMOVAL ... AN EXTREME SOLUTION .... provides compelling reasons to avoid declawing, describing the physical and psychological effects and philosophic concerns. Options are listed, including a detailed description ofthe proper technique for nail trimming. This on-line copy of the brochure (available from the Association ofVeterinarians for Animal Rights) is a must read especially for veterinarians who may feel that they are being held 'emotional hostage' by owners who claim they would have their cats killed ifdeclawing were not an option. Association ofVeterinarians for Animal Rights http://www.avar.org/avar cat declawing.html

Medical Issue: Declawing And Its Alternatives Ethical Issue: The Ethics Of J)eclawing Two articles from veterinarian Matthew J. Ehrenberg detailing his views on this controversial issue. Matthew J. Ehrenberg, DVM; Cats Only Veterinary House Calls http://www.catsonly.com/Med%20Declaw.htm

no Not Declaw The City and County ofSan Francisco advise you to NOT declaw; a clear explanation is provided as well as advice on alternatives. City & County ofSan ·Francisco http://www.~i.sf.ca.us/acc/dec1awed.htm

Declawing is not recommended Clear reasons why owners should avoid declawing; why vets do it; serious questions to ask yourself and your vet before embarking on this course ofaction. Defiant Breeders h!!P://www.del1ant.net/declaw.html

IlECLA\VING: A Veterinarian's View Find out why this vet states that "Dec/awing is actually an amputation ofthe last joint ofyour eat's 'toes'. When you envision that, it becomes clear why dec/awing is not a humane act." Check out thetist ofcountries where declawing is illegal, or considered extremely inhumane... then ask yourselfifyour cat doesn't deserve equal care and protection! ! Dr. Christianne Schelling http://www.declawing.com/

Stop Declaw: The Declawing Information Site A picture is worth a thousand words.... Also provides a statement by Nicholas Dodman, DVM as well as links to numerous resources. Stop Declaw jlttp://stopdeclaw.com

Declawing Cats? This article by Reed Coleman makes it clear that this procedure is NOT equivalent to

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a manicure by providing info from veterinarian, Dr. James Weikum, describing the seriousness and potential ill effects ofdeclawing as well as a brief overview of alternatives. KOIN-TV http://www.koin.com/athome/catsanddogs/athome-catsanddogs-980828-182117.html

Is it harmful to declaw a cat'! This article, reprinted with permission from the Kitty Adoption FAQ's (Kitten Rescue Online), gives an overview ofthe reasons why a cat should NOT be declawed provided by veterinarians and cat experts. Kitten Rescue Online http://amby.com/catsite/kr-declaw.html

Tbe DcclawPage Menu Many excellent articles, including: • All' Tlvo Cents - The Ethics o[Declcnving personal thoughts about declawing and a growing list ofcountries where declawing is illegal •A lilessage From the United Kingdom Helen Simmons explains what life is like in a country without declawing • Clawed and DeclaH'ed cats together? Question & Answers found in a newsgroup

Join the Educate!! Don't Amputate!! WEBRING (You don't even have to have a catsite!!) or participate in the discussion on the Educate!! Don't Amputate!! MESSAGEBOARD. And, ifyou still are considering declawing, read some ofthe horror stories (despite what some vets claim, the outcome isn't always good). Lisaviolet's Cathouse .b.J!P-=!!J.I~~~yig.!~j:£Q!.'Q!.~?~hQy"~~{g_~£!~~\Y.~b.!!!!J

Tbe Facts About Declawing (Feline Digital Amputation - Onvcbcctomv) Read these facts BEFORE you subject your cat to this procedure. Includes info from vets, research results, etc.; read Dr. Nicholas Dodman's article on Understanding the Motivation ofthe Scratching Behavior. Max's HOllse®/S.T.A.R.T. II® (Save The Animals Rescue Team) http://www.maxshousc.com/Trllth(%20Abollt%20Declawing.htm

You Can't Declaw with Love This miicle by Paul Rowen, D.V.M., and Carole Wilbourn describes the steps involved in declawing as well as the immediate and long-term physical and emotional consequences ofthis procedure. Little Shelter http://www.avar.org/avarcatdeclawing.html

The Trutb About Declawing The Dcclawing Qucstion 'Vhat Arc \Ve Doing To Our Cats'! A sample ofthe many great resources available from the Cats International site; the Cat Behavior and General Feline Information section also provides training advice and instructions for building a scratching post.

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Cats International (fonnerly Wisconsin Cat Club) http.~a}'~!yw·~~!.~.!nter!1~JJon'!.L.9.!.gL2-..l..J}.!!)1J

Dec1awing of Cats - CFA guidance statement CFA Health Committee statement, opposing the declawing ofcats (onychectomy) and the severing ofdigital tendons (tendonectomy), and an outstanding Information summary which not only describes more fully WHY the CFA is opposed but also raises some questions regarding the validity ofthe "scientific studies" to which people refer when claiming that there are no ill effects.... Includes references. The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) http://www.cfainc.otg!health/declawing.html

Do vou really want to de-claw vour cat? Please read this page by Jeri Dopp, first. She provides information as well as alternatives, including clear training tips and nail trimming advice. Jeri Dopp http://www.safehavenforcats.com/declaw.htm

Dec1awil1g Cats: Manicure or Mutilation'! Important info, including • Why Do Cats Claw Objects? • Understanding Declawing • Three-Point Program to train a kitten or to retrain an adult cat. • Resources & References

People for the Ethical Treatment ofAnimals (PETA) http://www.peta-online.org!mc/facts/fsc6.html

1)~lWS Come \Vith Claws Clear, level-headed article which provides info about some ofthe undesirable complications and after effects ofdeclawing; includes training tips. Buddy Dog Humane Society http://www.buddvdoghs.com/html/declawing.html

Good Cats 'Vear Black Annie Bruce, cat owner consultant and author ofCat Be Good, states that "Ninety-five percent ofdeclawed cat owners are calling about a peeing problem. (Note: The remaining five percent called about biting or chewing.)" The FAQ's: Litter Box Problems and Declawing, provides compelling evidence that declawing now can create far worse problems for owners later. Annie Bruce ht!pj!yv.~.~Y~9..Q£.~!.~_~~ear.Q!?£Is::..cOl.:!.!

Dec1awing: Behavior Modification or Destructive Surgerv'! This article by Tina Perry appeared in Animal Issues and provides a solid overview of the reasons declawing is unacceptable as well as tips for behavior modification. Animal Protection Institute http://www.api4animals.orgidoc.asp?ID=555

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Paws Come \Vitb Claws - That's One Of Natures Laws An excellent article describing what happens to the cat and why misguided owners resort to declawing. Includes how owners can prevent damage to themselves and their furnishings without causing harm to their cat. Mark Delman http://home.eaI1hlink.netl~mdelman/catclaws.htl11l

Is Declawing Cruel? This article includes the often pathetic consequences ofdeclawing as well as the detailed section: Six Simple Alternatives to Declawing Your Cat. Suzanne Bucciarelli DandyLions Cattery http://petstation.com/declaw.html

Declawing Your Cat Information to consider carefully ifyou're contemplating having your cat declawed; alternatives are provided. Oakland (CA) SPCA http://\o,rw'W.oaklandspca.orgicats/declawing.html

Clawed for Life This section ofPawprints and Purrs has a single purpose: To educate those people seeking facts about declawing a cat. Its goal is to further the education ofthose who want to know why cats need the claws they come with. Includes reasons why cats MUST keep their claws, along with suggestions for trimming nails and training cats to use appropriate areas for scratching. Ifpossessions are more important than the welfare ofthe cat in the family, you are urged not to own a cat. Susie S. Bachman http://www.sniksnak.com/declaw.html

DecJawing Cats: Making a Humane Decision Includes these sections: • Why are claws important to a cat? • Why do cats scratch? • What is declawing? • What risks are associated with declawing? (Medical & Safety risks) • What are alternatives to declawing? (Scratching Posts & Nail trimming)

The Massachusetts S.P.C.A. (MSPCA-AHES Methuen) b.!!p.=//www.methuen-mspca.org/petcare/htm/declaw.htm

The Problems \Vith Declawing Here's why declawing creates more problems than it solves. Veterinarian Dr. Paul Rowan outlines the most commonly used procedure; article includes both the immediate and long-term physical complications as well as the emotional consequences ofdeclawing. PAWS Companion Animal Shelter http://www.paws.orglshelter/resources/library/lcopy(50).htm

If You Love Your Cat, Don't DecIaw!

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Article discusses WHY cats need theirclaws, the negative impact ofdeclawing, and clearly describes how to train your cat trim nails correctly. Jackie Bell http://amby.com/catsite/health.html

IfYou Love Your Cat DON'T IlECLA\Vl Article by Celia Heriot, Pet Pride, taken from Cat Fancy magazine. h.nR:.f{\Y_~Y\"::,R-elPJ.:ide~~grgJ4caJ~,~~,~..:J1"t.!!!.#.If. Y2~:!..lQ,Y~--YQ!J.!:._<;i!LQQtfT..QI~Q,:.'A ..!Y

Dcclawing Problems Internationally respected vet, Dr. Jim Humphries, talks about declawing (a response to an owner's question). Dr. Jim's Virtual Cat Clinic http://www.dvmedia.com/cats.html#anchor10499715

About Declawing Your Cat A brief article clearly stating the problems with declawing and providing alternatives. Laurie Schiff Elvessa's Tonkinese http://www~fatpet.com/eJvessa/declaw.htm

Claws ARE Included A message from Monster, aka: 'Luvcatz' giving the cat's perspective on the declawing issue. Also included are descriptions ofa number ofexcellent online resources (with links), as well as sections detailing the surgical procedures (including complications), and providing the results ofpain management and opinion poll studies, etc. • Declaw surgery, what it reallv is • Declaw surgery description • Laser declaw surgery procedure

Monster, aka: 'Luvcatz' http://www.geocities.com/-Iuvcatz/declaw.html

Declawing Ifyou think, as Maxine used to, that declawing is "no big deal," perhaps you'll find her site informative; many links to other sites are provided. Maxine Hellman. !l!!p:!!ww...!v.ge9cities.com/Petsburgh/2418/dclaw.htm

r~ r:~ .,t~ (, ,i;,.~ r'·' 6( f':/' r·:. ('. 6, I 0' (~ (0' '/ ~./ (-; " r'"-;•..••T (0',,',. '/ ! ." " 0

Medical. ethical. and behavioral issues

Training & Nail Trimming Instructions

Instructions for Building ScratcbingPosts & Cat Trees

"Saving cats' toes -- one Ol1Jner at a time.... " ~

i ofl4 10/4/2006 10:57 AM \mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html

Doyon know someone who needs to learn how to trim nails or train a cat?

TRAINING & NAIL TRIMMING INSTRUCTIONS

Don't HECLA'\tV: Train and Trim, Instead!!! How to trim nails and train cats so that declawing is unnecessary. Amby Duncan-Carr .b.J!R:lL~!D.!>}'-=~~~}}f.~'!L~jl~L<:;~!.rr~l!!.J.!!.m.!

Instead of Dcclawing... Provides suggestions for you to use so that you can live happily with your cat, claws and all! Humane Society ofSanta Clara Valley httR://www.mcvicker.com/hsscv/hsscv14.htm

Claws This article from Animal Watch provides info about why cats NEED their claws and how to retrain them to use appropriate surfaces; includes helpful tips on how to give your cat a manicure. Jacque Lynn Schultz; ASPCA Companion Animal Services I1ttp://www.aspca.orf!lcalendar/watcomto.htm

Cat Scratch Control: You Name the Spot This CatL~re article by Rebecca Sweat includes info and tips from veterinarians Sandra Barclay, D.V.M. and John Ciribassi, D.V.M as well as Pam Johnson Bennett, a feline behavior consultant, to help you understand and redirect your cat's destructive behavior, trim nails, etc. PetLife Online [archived copy} httR://web.archive.org/web/1998120509351 l/http://www.petlifewcb.com/am98/clam98-I.htnl

Scratching Why cats scratch and what you can do to encourage them to scratch something other than your furniture or carpets. Site also provides Declawing Info as well as a wide variety ofother Cat Care ·fopies. 2lcats.org http://www.2Icats.org/cgi/caredb.pl?scratching.txl.

Declawing The Humane Society ofDelaware County offers an extensive set oftraining suggestions for a variety ofsituations. The Humane Society of Delaware County http://www.delawarecohumanesoc.org/declaw.htm

Cat Scratching Solutions

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Dr. Christianne Schelling provides reasons to not declaw cats, a clear explanation of why cats scratch, as well as training tips and information about Soft Paws, an option that you may find useful ifyou don't have the opportunity to train your cat right now or ifa member ofthe family is medically at-risk ifscratched.... Dr. Christianne Schelling http://www.catscratching.com/

Stit'kvPaws "CATFANCYMagazine" Chooses StickyPawstm one ofthe TOP TEN Best New Cat Products!. Find out about this product and see ifit would help you train your cat. Fe-Lines, Inc. http://www.stickypaws.com/html/faqs/

Scratching Furniture Step-by-step instructions for using positive reinforcement to train your cat to use a scratclting post, instead ofyour furniture! Provided byauthor and behavior specialist, Gwen Bohnenkamp. Perfect Paws Training Center http://www.perfectpaws.com/scratch.html

How can I get my cat to stop scratching the furniture'! This article by Steve Dale, Tribune Media Services syndicated columnist, gives tips for training your cat while protecting your furniture during the learning process. Steve Dale bttp://www3.w~oint.c()m/wgnradi() pets/scratch.htm

Biting and Scratching Step-by-step instructions to accustom your cat to being handled and ways to train your cat not to bite or scratch you! Provided by author and behavior specialist, Gwen Bohnenkamp. Perfect Paws Training Center http://www.perfectpaws.comflmndJe.htmI

The Case Against Declawing Lists safer, kinder, easier, and less expensive ways to deal with the problems of clawing. With a little attention and training, you can keep your cat from scratching the furniture without costly, painful surgery. Washington Humane Society http://www.washhumane.org/washhumane/int{)/intaclw.htm

Ask Parker A regular feature ofthe NHSPCA newsletter. This is the reply to a question regarding declawing: I have a cat that is tearing up myfurniture with her claws. Why does she do this? I'm thinking about having her declawed ifshe doesn't stop. Is that a humane thing to do? The New Hampshire Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals (NHSPCA) http://www.nhspca.orglfa96 askpark.htmJ

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How to Keep Your Cat from Damaging Things Training tips from a Carol McCutcheon along with her declawing position statement (contract also available online). Mellowmews Abyssinians http://www.abvs.net/declaw.htm

CLAWS AND ALL: Living with Your Cat, Your Furniture, and Your Peace ofMind, an article by Rachel Lamb, provides suggestions for training and positive reinforcement so that you and your cat will agree on what is (and what is not) to be used for scratching. The Humane Society ofthe United States: HSUS News -- Spring 1996 http://www.hsus.org:80/claws.html

Trimming Claws Suggestions for how to correctly trim your cat's nails (without EITHER ofyou getting hurt). Cindy Tittle Moore (from FAQAbout Cats) http://lllichiana.org/MFNetLifeiCatsFAQ1.html#S2E

Scratching the Surface How do I get my cat to begin scratching its scratching post instead ofthe furniture? Set-by-step instructions for behavior modification and training for you and your cat. Steve Dale, My Pet World, Tribune Media Services syndicated columnist. http://rcc.webpoint.com/pets/scratch.htm

Teaching "our cat to use a scratching post Explains WHY cats scratch, how to select (or make) a suitable post, and how to get your cat to use it instead ofthe furniture. The Massachusetts S.P.c.A. (Springfield Animal Shelter) http://www.methucn-mspca.org/petcare!htm/declaw.htm

Feline Nail Care Catnip Calico from Catnip Calico's Popoki Comer provides information about WHY cats scratch and includes some training suggestions. Compiled from email and from a posting on the HomeVet Bulletin Board. h!!.P~!L.~!!.nqJ:'.:..~.Q.!.!.!!.l::~L~~t,~(!.~?jJca!:~.:hl,.l~~J

CATS AND SCRATCHING Understanding yourpet's behaviour and tips for modifying it. Includes suggestions to make the scratching post the most appealing thing to scratch in your cat's environment. The Winnipeg Humane Society http://www.xpressnct.colll/humaneix-2.htm

Helping Your Cats Claw Their \-Vav to Success P.A.W.S. provides this overview ofthe behavior and ways to modify' it WITHOUT resorting to inhumane mutilation. The Progressive Animal Welfare Society http://\vww.paws.org/shelter/resources!librarv/lcopy(49).htm

, ofl4 10/4/200610:57AM .mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html

Great Kittens Have Good O,,,,'ners Guidelines to help you train and socialize your kitty; suggestions to help prevent or eliminate undesirable behavior. Humane Society ofSanta Clara Valley http://www.mcvicker.com/hsscv/hsscv18.htm

Cats and their Claws General overview, including the permanent adverse consequences that are possible, as well as suggestions for alternatives that will protect your furniture and prevent harm to your cat! ! The SPCA ofTexas http://www.spca.org/cat.html#5

A Scratching Outlet Specific suggestions for making objects with potential "scratch appeal" temporarily unappealing and how to make acceptable scratching items more attractive to your cat. Article by Carolyn Osier, March 1996, Cat Fancy Magazine http://www.petchannel.com/cats!library/care/scratching/scratching.htm

The New Kitten: Some Pointers about Your New .Friend Some information to help you understand instinctive behavior and train your pet more effectively. The Central Animal Hospital http://www.lunaweb.com/kitten.htm

SCRATCHING, NAIL TRIMMING, AND DECLA'VING Tips for Buying or Making a Scratching Post and Training Your Cat. Includes important information arid helpful instructions. Champaign County Humane Society h.!!2.:fL\Y~y'~y.,~l!h~I.:!!~ne.o~!Q1!lcS/~~@.!fh:.b1!:J.:IJ

ControlJing Scratching and Clawing of Cats . You may have heard the common complaint, flOur cat is destroying everything in the house with her claws!", and assumed that nothing can be done (short ofmaiming or getting rid ofthe cat). This article provides clear info on why cats scratch and providing alternatives so that EVERYONE will be happy! Includes how to choose a post, how to train your cat to use it, and how to trim claws. Pets Connection [archived copy} http://web.archive.org/web/19970607161933/www.dlcwest.com/~createdforyoll/catpost.html

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Medical, ethical, and behavioral issues

Training & Nail Trimming Instructions

Inst,"uctiolls for Building Scratching Posts & Cat Trees

oof 14 10/4/2006 10:57 AM .mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html

Do you want to learn how to build a scratching post or a cat tree?

CONSTRUCTION INSTRUCTIONS

Cosmic Cardboar4 Scratchers with Catnip Cosmic Cardboard Scratchers with Catnip Cats with claws and without absolutely love sinking their claws or kneading their paws into these corrugated cardboard scratchers All include loose catnip to sprinkle inside

DO-IT-YOURSELF CAT TREE Step-by-step plans (including materials list, and instructions) for building a great place for your cats to perch! Based on plans originally published in PETA's ANIMAL TIMES including modifications by Cat's Haven; revised and reformatted by Amby Duncan-Carr. http://anlby.com/catsite/cattree.html

Build your own Scratching Post Clear instructions, common tools, straight-forward illustration etc., from the creator, Kevin Loader! The only thing you don't get is a visit and try-out from "co-creator" and principal user, Kiki (although I'm sure he'd love to!) [NOTE: This page is provided by the Web Archive since the original site seems to have vanished; the email address listed is probably no longer accurate.] Kevin Loader http://web.arehive.onr/wcb/19981207022751 /http://ww\v.sidus.nct/kloadcr/usepost.htm

Cat Tree Forest .... describes a sturdy cat tree designed and built by Caledonia's and Liberty's people. A clear drawing is shown but no specific dimensions are included. http://www.geocities.com/lleartlancl/Plains/5421/forest.htm

10fl4 10/4/2006 10:57 AM .mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html

Kittv Sunroom and the Kittv Bathroom Plans For $10 you can get the plans for these great kitty spots. The site has some info and pictures; get your creative juices flowing!! John & Patricia Canivan http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/CatAnna/plans.htm

Cat Climber These building directions include a list ofall the materials needed; diagrams and instructions are also provided. Dave says it's HEAVY so you may want to have help moving it ifyou assemble it elsewhere (or perhaps you'll want to put it together near its final location! I). Dave Harrison http://my\vebpages.comcast.netidavid-rebecca/Catclimber.html

How to build a scratching post Here are set-by-step instructions for making a Sisal Wrapped Scratching Post - cat tested and approved! Includes training advice; the Coping With Your Cat section (also on this site) provides additional training tips and clearly explains why cats should NOT be declawed. Cats International (formerly Wisconsin Cat Club) http://www.catsinternational.org/93.htmI

BUILD A SeRATCHING POST! Do it yourself: Step-by-step directions -- Low-cost! Instructions from Gregory and Pamela Talin-Bryant; inspirational assistance provided by Stella & Izzy. http://www.llJtranet.com/~tb/tovs.htm

Tbe Cat Ladder As you can see, Xena, Gabby, Lissy, and Lucy have done a thorough quality inspection and are quite pleased with this great cat perch made from a step ladder, cardboard concrete mold, and sisal rope, along with 2x4 anchors. Build this, add cats, and you'll have a great-looking conversation piece for any room inyour home. Anne M. Kolaczyk httQ.J!www.nd.edul-·akolaczy/catladder.html

"Build A Cat TREE" instrudions, in common even-day language Provides answers to common questions, hints, tips and clues for how to build your own cat tree. Also, check out the selection of unique, hand-crafted cat trees available for inspiration (or purchase). Smith Industries

20f14 10/4/2006 10:57 AM mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.htmI

http://ww·w.smithindustries.com/How-.l·o.html

Not into DO-IT-YOURSELF projects?? Check this alternative:

Natural Scratch For Natural Cats This solid cedar scratching post system features an interactive string toy, kitty treats, catnip, and a seven-page training booklet. The new, improved version has awhite cedar post, is available in two sizes (24" or 32" high) and comes with a red cedar base ofequal dimensions-- this provides.stability so that your cat won't have the awful experience of digging in and then having the post fall over!! The beautiful X-shaped base also provides an appealing HORIZONTAL scratching surface. Cedar provides the tactile sensations preferred by cats PLUS you're not training your kitty to scratch on the carpets!! Ted Schaar http://www.naturalscratch.com/

Cat-friendly End Table Here's the idea behind this newconcept for hearth and kitty: Instead ofcomplaining about what some cats do to some living room furniture, why not use those same activities to make handsome rooms and happy cats? This end table is not CHEAP and will be an attractive and much appreciated addition to your home!! Jonah Kalb I Catnip Trading http://www2.viaweb.com/cgi-bin/clink?catnip+LENyxD+catendtab.html

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n.':t£k.J.QJh..le CAT SITE Ambv Duncan-Carr

30f14 10/4/2006 10:57 AM .mby's DECLAWING CATS: Issues & Alternatives http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html

Last Updated: 28 July '02 at approximately 14:55 GMT

URL ofthis page: http://amby.com/catsite/declaw.html

14 of 14 10/4/2006 10:57 AM leclawing Banned nationwide under Animal Welfare act http://network.bestfriends.org!califomialnews17668.html • • Search • >bestfrlends.org Network•Home Network Home Communities California News Declawing Banned nationwide under Wed, October 4, 2006 Animal Welfare act Members y Member Log /n

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California Declawing Banned nationwide under Animal Welfare act

September 15, 2006: 12:00 AM USDA Announces Big News

LOS ANGELES, September 12 - Declawing captive wild or exotic animals such as lions, tigers, wolves and bears is no longer permitted under the federal Animal Welfare Act. 10/4/2006 of 1 In thp rpr.pntlv "nnnl,nr.pr! nnlir.v ripr.i.,inn nf thp Iinitpr! St"tp., npn"rtmpnt nf 10:59 AM he Humane Society ofthe United States Applauds USDA Policy agai... http://www.hsus.orgipress_and_publications/press_releases/the_huma...

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II Press Releases HSUS » Press and Publicalions .>.> Press Releases i'I Humane Society Magazines and Newsletters The Humane Society of the United II Humane Bookshelf States Applauds USDA Policy against Declawing and Tooth Removal from " About Us I Captive Wild Animals " Donate Now ...... ····················000 September 1, 2006 " legislation and laws In the Courts WASHINGTON - Today the Humane Society of the United States applauded an Publications August 2006 decision by the United States Department of AgriCUlture that ends " Press fl oom the practices of deciawing and removing canine teeth from certain captive wild animals unless the procedure is prescribed by a veterinarian for medical International Programs problems or required for scientific reasons, The procedures will no longer be " HSlIS in the Field acceptable when they are performed to make the animals easier to handle, According to the USDA, these procedures can cause considerable pain and may " Animal Channei result in chronic health problems, " Humane Uving "This is an exceptional change in policy that will save thousands of animals much Member Offers pain and distress," stated Don Elroy, director of wildlife advocacy for The HSUS, 'We applaud the USDA for thes~ changes in pOlicy," I.Mld""'.. The new policy affects monkeys, chimpanzees and other primates as well as wild Receive action alerts, tips, and exotic carnivores, such as lions, tigers and other big cats, wolves and bears, news and special offers It applies to animals held by USDA license holders including exhibitors, dealers viae-mail. and breeders as well as to research facilities, This decision is estimated to affect thousands of animals, Though the new policy does not affect animals previously IFirst Name altered by these methods, it will protect all animals that have not had these lLast Name procedures already performed,

Four Email here The USDA is adopting the animal welfare policies of the American Veterinary ~ip Code [ JOIN >:: ] Medical Association, which opposes both declawing big cats and teeth removal in primates and large carnivores, The AVMA recommends behavioral modification, environmental enrichment and changes in group composition as alternatives to dental procedures for minimizing bite wounds,

As a result of the USDA policy change, these procedures are no longer allowed under the Animal Welfare Act. "This is one for the animals," stated Elroy.

--30--

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization with more than 9,5 million members and constituents, The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with active programs in companion animals, disaster preparedness and response, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammals, animals in research, equine protection, and farm animal welfare, The /-ISUS protects alf animals through education, investigation, litigation. legislation, advocacy and field work, The nonprofit organization is based in Washington and has field representatives and offices across the country. On the web at WWW.!1sus,org,

Belinda Mager, 646-469-4987

of2 10/4/2006 11:0 I AM 'he Humane Society ofthe United States Applauds USDA Policy agai... http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_re1eases/th~_huma...

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of2 10/4/2006 11:0 I AM Time to Declaw and Defang our Government? Page 1 of4

[ Contact Us ]-[ Membershil

About Us Members' Cat Talk Legislature Husbandry Conservation

Members Cat Talk A Pledge I An Echo of Miu I Conservation of the Fittest I Of Man and Lion I Embittered Sanctuary Operator's Exotic Feline Rescue and Placement I Private Ownership and Ban laws I Hurricane!! I Tropical Trouble I Fox Ge1 IUCN. ESA and CITES I Identifying Animal Tracks I The Rules of Domestication I End of an Era I A House is r Domestic Cats are Wild! I Importing -A Hairy Business I NOAH - Cougar Sanctuary I Bob Elliott Takes the FC selling endangered animals I visit to 2 zoos and Serenity Springs I Black marketing and martyrs? I NEW-Memb, Regulating big cats into extinction?-2 September 2006

TIME TO DECLAW AND DEFANG OUR GOVERNMENT?

By Zuzana Kukol

I always loved freedom, and I always loved big cats.

When I first moved to the USA in mid 1980s as a political refugee from former communist Czechoslovakia, one of my favorite movies became Zucker-Abraham-Zucker's Top Secret!' which is a spoof of Elvis and World War II underground resistance thriller movies. Val Kilmer plays Nick Rivers, a Presley-like American rock idol sent behind the Iron Curtain to then East Germany on a goodwill tour. East Germans are depicted as Nazis and the Underground is mostly Frenchmen.

The highlight of the movie, at least for me, was the movie version of East German National Anthem, sung to the tune of the Shorewood (Wisconsin) High School marching song.

Considering I just moved from my old oppressive country to the USA, the land of the free, the lyrics at the time were extremely funny and scary at the same time: "Hail, hail East Germany I Land of fruit and grape I Land where you'll regret I If you try to escape I No matter if you tunnel under or take a running jump at the wall I Forget it, the guards will kill you, if the electrified fence doesn't first."

Back then I felt nothing could spoil the wonderful America I just moved to.

http://www.thefcf.com/speak/GovDeclaw.asp?key=432 10/4/2006 .I. ... .I..I..I.~ LV .I...J~~.1.uyy U.l..I...... - ...... _.a..a.b _._.a. __ .. _.a..a..L&.a..a._.a..a. ... - --0- -- - .

I wonder if I would still find the movie and song as amusing now, 20 years later, with US federal and local governments becoming more intrusive into peoples' lives and infringing on personal and property rights and freedoms.

It isn't whether I agree or disagree with the agenda of the ever increasing maze of bans, rules and regulations, my concern is whether government should be micromanaging our lives to this extent as many of the laws in my opinion should be a matter of personal choice, not government mandate.

I drive cars and ride motorcycles. In my state we have seat belt and helmet laws, however, these don't apply to dirt bikes as these are not street legal and therefore don't need to be insured or registered with DMV and so the helmet law doesn't apply.

Do I wear a helmet? You bet I do, as I believe helmets and seat belts save lives.

Do I believe this should be required by law?

Absolutely NOT; it should be my own decision, not the government's to decide if I want to wear them or not.

I wear helmets and seat belts because I believe in them, but I am absolutely against laws requiring their use. I don't need or want the government to protec me from myself.

My next pet peeve is smoking laws. I do not smoke and get physically sick when near cigarette smoke, but I still don't think government should be telling restaurant owners or any private business to not allow smoking in their establishments. It should be up to the customers to decide where they want to dine or conduct business based on their food and smoking preferences.

What will be next, government telling us we can't smoke in our houses either?

And just this summer, from galaxy 'Oppression' (not enough light years away) comes federal Haley's act, HR 5909, a measure that, if enacted, would forbid the public from ever touching big cats, such as tigers, jaguars, lions, leopards, cheetahs and cougars, even when they are tiny babies. Fines for disobeying would be up to $10,000 if the private owners allow anyone to feed, pet, or play with big exotic cats of any age.

This 'feel-good' bill is in honor of Haley Hilderbrand from Altamont, who was killed in Kansas in August 2005 by a Siberian tiger while voluntarily posing for a picture in an USDA licensed facility.

While Haley's untimely death is very unfortunate, this bill would have done nothing to prevent this accident since what happened in Haley's case was a clear violation of federal USDA rules we had in effect already.

It is a violation of federal regulations to exhibit any tiger, lion, cougar, cheetah, leopard, or jaguar over the age of 16 weeks to the

http://www.thefcf.com/speak/GovDeclaw.asp?key=432 10/412006 public without proper caging or barriers. Federal regulations also prohibit public contact with these animals, even when restrained. Since such activity is regulated under the Animal Welfare Act, this agency is required to investigate any incidents or complaints resulting from the activity of any USDA licensee.

Tiger that killed Haley was a full grown animal and the exhibitor clearly broke the existing rules that would have prevented this tragedy.

Never mind the facts that onlyJ6 people weIeJataJlymauled by captive wild cats between 1990 and 2006. That is one death per year. Most deaths and attacks were on handlers and owners, whom have accepted and know extremely well the risk.

None of the deaths were the result of the exotic cats running loose. All happened to people voluntarily on the property where the animals were kept, be it owners, handlers, employees, friends, or visitors wanting to see the animals.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, 53,500 children from ages 0-19 died in 2003, many in activities that involve toys, pools, cars, bicycles, boating, sports, but there is no federal legislation restricting the public from them. Why not, isn't their life and death sensationalized or important enough to name a bill after them?

The latest federal rule from USDA prohibits declawing and defanging of bears, primates and big cats. Animals are considered property under US legal system, so the issue, once again, is not whether you as a citizen agree or disagree with these procedures, the issue is whether the government should have a right to tell us what to do with our private property, and my answer is NO.

Nobody is forcing animal owners do declaw or defang their animals, and to this day I haven't seen a scientific study that would prove it is harmful when done correctly. According to AVMA, American Veterinary Medical Association, there is no scientific evidence that declawing of domestic cats leads to behavioral abnormalities when the behavior of declawed cats is compared with that of cats in control groups.

On the other hand, many communities, in lieu of lower licensing fees, recommend spaying and neutering, which has been proven to have long term effects. Other than obvious short term problems associated with these reproductive surgeries such as infections, bad scarring or bad reaction to anesthesia (on rare occasions even leading to death), bleeding, stitches breaking or pulling out, after removing the reproductive organs, some animals will have long term health effects associated with the hormonal changes, occurring years after an animal has been spayed. These may include weight gain, urinary incontinence, or decreased stamina.

Maybe it is time to declaw and defang our government which keeps sticking their claws and sinking their teeth too deep into our flesh without regard for personal freedoms and choices.

Rather than keep adding more stupid laws, maybe our government should go in opposite direction, go through the books and remove many of the bad

http://www.thefcf.com/speak/GovDeclaw.asp?key=432 10/4/2006 1 lillC LV .LICl/HlW C111U L.',"".1.u.J..l6· Vu...l '-IV" "'.I..u...... "'...... ".

laws that passed years ago to restore normalcy and freedoms in what used to be a wonderful free country.

I didn't change, I still love freedom and big exotic cats, but the right to enjoy them seems to be in short supply lately.

there!'site is best viewed with IE 5.5 and above !md a resolution of Copyright Feline COllservation Federation, 2005. ,.\11 Ri! 1024x768.

http://www.thefcf.com/speak/GovDeclaw.asp?key=432 10/4/2006

QIFAW www.ifaw.org

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) is one of the largest international animal welfare organizations in the world. IFAW seeks to promote conservation and animal welfare polices that advance the well-being of both animals and people. Our work is concentrated in three areas: reducing the commercial exploitation and trade of wild animals, protecting wildlife habitats and assisting animals in distress. IFAW pursues a variety of local, national and global campaigns around the world. We have offices in 15 countries and astaff of more than 200 experienced campaign ers, legal and political experts, and inter nationally acclaimed scientists. In each region where we work, IFAW's activities are informed by local customs and culture and tailored to the particular economic and political conditions of that area. All of IFAW's efforts are rooted in the belief that aworld in which animal life can survive and thrive is fundamental to human well-being.

At one facility, IFAW staff saw a hiopar~ bite off the finger olan untrained sanctuary worker in a situation similar to this. Leopards become aggressive when they do not have enough room to roam. An African leopard at the Wildlife Survival Sanctuary, Spring Hill, Florida

"Exotic and.wild·animals are not suited 10 be kept as pets. The average pet owner lacks the expertise. and facilities to provide appropriate housing, secure containment, adequate nutrition, appropriate medical care and cannot meet the complex social, emotional and behavioral requirements ofthese animals." WILBUR AMAND,\lM.D. Former Executive Director, American Association of Zoo Veterinarians

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FATAL ATTRACTIONS: Big Cats in the USA

Imagine looking out your window and seeing a 450-lb. Bengal tiger walking down your street. Or finding out that your neighbor has decided to open a backyard zoo featuring predatory lions, leopards and cheetahs. Or losing your 17-year-old daughter in a tiger attack - that occurs while she is having her high school picture taken at a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) licensed wildlife facility.

These frightening and tragic incidents aren't happening on the other THATS ONE BIG BA.BY. For$10, you can side of the world - they're happening in New Jersey, Florida and Kansas have Yllur phllto taken bottle-feeding a and all over the United States. 7.mllnth-old Siberian tiger ona leash at a USDA-licensed facility in Davenport, R.. Althllughvery young "cubs" are An Alarming Trend sometimes allowed to be exhibited undercertaiil circumstances, this tiger There may be only 5,000 tigers left in the wild - and the International iHartoooldto qualify-and should be Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), one of the world's largest international slIbjellt to the same distanlle lind/or wildlife organizations, has long worked to protect them. barrier requirements liS adult big llats. Yet, incredibly, there are an estimated 5,000-7,000 tigers living in captivity in the United States - as well as another 10,000 or more lions, leopards, cheetahs, jaguars and cougars. And their numbers are growing - rapidly and uncontrollably - as the demand for "cute" cubs as novelty pets also grows. These big cats and their cubs are not at accredited zoos where you Until only recently, statistics on big cat would expect to find them. Many are living in cramped, appalling condi attacks were not even recorded in one tions in substandard sanctuaries, roadside or "amateur" zoos, backyards central place- so the public was only and even city apartments - situations that are not only dangerous to these aware ofihe few stories that have magnificent felines, but also seriously endanger any people in proximity made headline news. Now, though, to them. these incidents are being recorded. As the number of big cats in the United States has grown, so has the BETWEEN JANUARY 2003 AND NOVEMBER 2005: frequency of big cat attacks, escapes and deaths. In response, IFAW is now deploying our extensive global expertise in large cat conservation II 1 children have been mauled closer to home by working to protect both these threatened predators and and bitten; 2have been killed the public from the inevitable tragedies that occur when they are in unnat II 31 adults have been mauled urally close contact. and bitten; 3 have been killed

II 56 big cats have escaped IFAW Investigates Dangers at USDA-Licensed Wildlife Facilities these big cats have been found in suburban neighbor Of all the big cats in the United States, nearly 5,000 are kept in facilities hoods, backyards and along licensed and inspected by the USDA. highways That seems reassuring. But in reality, a USDA-licensed facility could be lIB 357big cats have been confis anything from a fenced-in backyard of a private home to a rundown road catedfor being confined.in side zoo, to a large "pseudo-sanctuary:' The three categories of USDA dangerous or unsafe conditions licenses covering breeders, dealers and exhibitors are far too broad and the licenses themselves are surprisingly easy to get. For instance, all legal IIIi 46 big cats have been killed due to escapes, disease and species are covered by the same licenses - so the same license is obtained natural causes

3 for a tiger as for a goat - whether the owner is operating as a breeder, dealer or exhibitor. In addition, there is inadequate oversight once Wildlife sanctuaries are popular family obtained. Unfortunately, due to a lack or resources, regulations are rarely destinations. And most of us trust they effectively enforced. are safe to visit ~ especially when licensed by the USDA. But sadly, this has As a result of insufficient regulations and poor enforcement, many proven to be tragically untrue. senseless big cat tragedies involving humans have occurred and future heartbreaks are inevitable. Big cats in backyard enclosures have pulled On August 19, 2005, Haley Hilderbrand, 17, of Altamont, Kansas, was posing next to a young children under chain link fences and killed them. Tigers have escaped Siberian tiger for her senior high school USDA-licensed facilities and roamed suburban neighborhoods. Leopards on picture at a USDA-licensed facility known leashes often lounge on sanctuary lawns for young children to pet. as Lost Creek Animal Sanctuary. What Many of these serious public safety hazards could be easily avoided if should have been a normal day turned facilities had specific regulations and standards for maintaining dangerous into unspeakable tragedy when the tiger attacked and killed her despite being ana animals. leash held by the handler. Unfortunately, none of these incidents are the results of an occasional lapse in enforcement or non-compliance at one or two facilities. Between April 2004 and June 2005, IFAW investigated 42 USDA-licensed facilities where big cats were kept and exhibited. Serious and disturbing violations were observed at nearly every single facilitylFAW visited. Here is a brief summary of the findings:

IJlI The vast majority of the big cats they saw were housed at facilities that were structurally unsound. Many enclosures had rusty fences and some facilities had no barriers at all.

IJlI Direct public contact between dangerous big cats and people - includ ing very young children - was allowed at many facilities. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT. A young woman's face is just inches away from IJlI Poor housekeeping and animal hygiene were observed at the majority 700 lb. Siberian tiger ata USDA"licel1sed of facilities including dead animals, filthy water buckets (which often facility in Christmas, FL One swipe of a included urine and feces), vermin and grossly inadequate sewage claw could leave this woman seriously disposal. scarred or blinded. IJlI Meat, which is the staple of the big cat diet, was often stored without USDA regulations require facilities to refrigeration. Many animals were fed rotten food. maintain sufficient distance and barriers IJlI Many facilities had no attendants on hand at big cat exhibits - and between exotic animalsandthe public or some even allowed children to work as attendants! have dangerous animalscontrolled.by an experienced handler. USDA regulations also state that a leash· is not an As a result of this investigation, IFAWis calling for immediate action on adequate barrier between a big cat both the federal and state levels to safeguard the public safety and ensure and the pUblic. In reality, these regula the welfare of big cats in captivity. These recommendations are outlined tions are often ignored by facilities and the on page 11 of this report. USDA simply does not currently have the resources or personnel to properly enforce the law. The USDA itself recognizes there are problems with inspecting facilities and "Accredited zoological parks and bona fida research facilities mandate special enforcing the Animal Welfare Act. The ized training for handlers and enforce strict protocols concerning prevention USDA also warns against the dangers of ofzoonotic diseases and injury hazards with captive animals. In contrast, well keeping big cats as pets'. intentioned pet dealers, breeders, and private owners often lack the expertise and resources to maintain exotic and native wildlife safety." , United States Department of Agriculture's Position Statement,"Large Wild and Exotic·Cats STEPHEN OSTROFF, M.D., M.P.H. Make Dangerous Pets."MisceUaneous Publication Deputy Director, National Center for Infectious Diseases (NCID), No. 1560, issued February 2000. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/aciposition.html Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

4 Where Do All the Tigers Come From? Can They Ever BeSentBacktothe Wild?

Many of these big cats that are languishing in substandard sanctuaries in the US are bought as adorable cubs over the Internet-for aboutthesamepriceasa pedigree dog. (The typical price tag for a leopard cub is $600; a Bengal tiger sells for $1,500; and other cobS can be boughtfor as little as $400 - with "free shipping" included.) Usually, there is no. background check or license requirement needed-and This picture looks innocent enough -' but young children most big cats live among us completely unregulated due toalackof state and should never be allowed to feed federal oversight. or come in direct contact with The sad truth is these tiger cubsdon'tstaycute.lnjust 6 monthS,they're wild Cllts, which can deliver a deadly bite from an early age. strong enough to inflict a lethal bite or a deepscratchwound.By 3 years old, big cats often become aggressive and mostownerscan't handle their growing physical and nutritional needs. For example, .a 3S0-lb. adult Bengal tiger needs to eat.12 poundS olmeat a day, 5 days a week- or more than 60 pounds a week!. Not to mention that large cats need acres to roam and preferto catch and dismember their own prey - in fact, if they don't chew on animal carcass.es, big cats experience Severe dentalproblems.3 And of course, if your leopard is sick, it may be difficult or even impossible to find a nearby veterinarianwho is qualified and experienced in treating dangerous carnivores. People also wrongly assume that big cats can be domesticated and become a friendly addition to the family. However, big cats are wild by nature and will instinctivelyattackwhentriggered by fear, hunger, intrusion on their domain or any other innate response - no matter how accustomed to people the animal may be, or how experi enced the owner is. In 2003, Roy Horn,of the world-famous Siegfried and Roy enter tainmentact. was attacked on stage by one of his own tigers showing that even the most weU-trainedbigcatscanattack without warning. Big cats are also often declawed and sometimes defanged as a way to make them "safer" andmOre "tame" pets. However, these cruel procedures' do nothing to "tame" these animalsanddec1awing has even been shown to increase a cat's likelihood tobite.S Overwhelmed, owners often try to get rid of these huge animals. But accredit Aleopard ona leash isa shocking ed zoos cannot orwiH not take them due to their poor breeding and the sheer sight to anyone who knows about overabundance of unwanted exotic cats. predatory cats. While thiscaUs Sadly, these discarded wild cats often end upin unregulated roadside facilities, lying peacefully now, itcould very quickly attack this young girl. orare simply "dumped" somewhere after they have lost their appeal. Recently Leopards are extremely effective tw080-4b.tiger cubs were found wandering down a North Carolina highway.s Big hunters and killers in the wild. cats are evenshotin "canned hunts:' where they are sometimes drugged before being released into an enclosure to be shot by hunting enthusiasts looking for a guaranteed kill.

The few legitimate sanctuaries and well"run, accredited facilities simply do not have the space or resources to absorb thousands of unwanted large cats. Many animalsendupin pseudo-sanctuaries, which claim to save tigers through captive breeding. However, unregulated breeding of large cats - particularly tigers - actually decreases the viability of the species. The fact of the matter is, due to inbreeding and unregulated breeding - which can perpetuate medical problems - big cats bred in captivity can never be re-introducedto thewild.

'"Management and Conservation of CaptiveTigers" http://nagonline.netJDiets%20Pdf/Tiger%20Nutrition%20Manual.pdf 3 "Management and Conservation of CaptiveTigers" http://nagon;line.netlOiets%20pdffTigero/o20Nutrition%20ManuaI.pdf •West Hollywood, CA, set a precedent for other municipalities in banning the declawingof domesticand wild cats in April 2003. FollOWing this, AB395 was introduced to ban declawing of all cats statewide and AB1857 was introduced to ban the declawing of captive, wild cats, 'AB1857 FactSheet-Declawing, The Paw Project • In January 2005 in Charlotte, North Carolina, two tiger cubs each weighing at least 80 pounds were found wandering along a highway prornpting zoo officials to warn that pri vate ownership of exotic animaispos8S anincreasihgdanger in the state.Two childreninNC since mid~2003havebeenmauled by tigers inthe state; One died of his injuries.

5 IFAW's Big Cats in the USA Campaign

We Support Legitimate Refuges ... Rescue Endangered Cats And Campaign for Laws to Protect the Public and Big Cats

IFAW is at the forefront of this serious national issue ... .. In 2005, IFAW helped implement a stringent regulation Caring for Big Cats That Can Never Be Released to the in Kentucky and is currently campaigning for the Wild: Since 2000, IFAW has supported a wildlife sanctuary enactment of a similar regulation in Kansas. inTexas, which holds more than 600 exotic animals .. Still, at this point, 35 states have little or no regulations (including many large cats), many of which are refugees on the ownership of big cats. IFAW will continue to from the exotic pet trade. work with many of these states to enact bans on own Rescuing ing big cats and other exotic animals. Tigers from Substandard Sanctuaries: In November 2003, Now IFAW Focuses Public Attention IFAW conducted on the Problems of "Pseudo-Sanctuaries" a joint operation While the stories of big cat attacks and escapes usually Iii to help local ~ make headlines, there has been no comprehensive review ~ authorities res- undertaken to examine the magnitude of this national public ~ cue 24 Bengal ~ safety and animal welfare problem. !!i tigers kept in @ Therefore, IFAW gathered its own information on the appalling condi- dangers to people and big cats at wildlife facilities and A gaping violation of USDA regulations. tions in a The gap in the enclosure is wide enough for visited 42 USDA-licensed fa.cilities where big cats are woman's New someone to stick their arm through. Only a being kept and exhibited. flimsy rope, 11/2 feet off the ground separated Jersey backyard the public from this adult tiger's cage. " pseudo-sanctu The USDA-licensed exhibitors investigated were in 11 In this case, there is neither sufficient distance ary:' The seizure states - and included roadside animal exhibits, zoos, sanc nor a safe enough barrier to keep the public made national tuaries, petting zoos, wildlife parks, nature preserves and protected as stipulated in USDA regulations. and internation- game farms. al headlines and was the end result of a four-year court The investigators, who are experts in captive wild case against the owner after a 450-lb. tiger escaped into animal issues, took 2,521 photos to document the condi the neighborhood in 1999 and was shot dead. In 2005, tions of the facilities, the conditions of the animals and IFAW also assisted in the relocation of 13 big cats from countless Animal Welfare Act violations. two substandard facilities in Nevada. Getting Laws Passed to Protect Both Large Cats and People: IFAW was also instrumental in campaigning for IFAW Exposes Disturbing Big Cat Violations passage of the US Captive Wildlife Safety Act (CWSA), The American people depend on the United States which bans the interstate trade of big cats for commercial Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health purposes. However, the selling and breeding of large cats Inspection Service, Animal Care Division [USDA within state borders and the associated animal welfare APHIS/ACl, to monitor compliance of the Animal Welfare and human safety issues remain at crisis levels. Act [AWA] of 1966 and its amendments.

.. Since 2004, IFAW has supported the passage of four Under this Act, licensed exhibitors are required to pro vide animals with adequate care and treatment and have state bills regarding exotic animal ownership: a duty to maintain safety measures to protect the public. California (2004). Minnesota (2004), NewYork (2004) However, during our yearlong investigation, IFAW dis and Arkansas (2005). covered key violations of all APHIS safety measures at the majority of the 42 USDA-licensed facilities visited.

6 A Summary of Our Primary Findings

SANITATION: Provision needs to be made for the removal and disposal of animal and food wastes, bedding, dead animals, trash and debris in order to minimize vermin infestation, odors and disease hazards. (Section 3.125(d))

ANIMAL HANDLING: Handling of animals should not cause trauma, stress or physical harm. (Section 2.131(aHl))

During public exhibition, animals handled must be handled so there is minimal risk of harm to the animal and to the public with sufficient distance and barriers between the animal and the general viewing public. (Section 2.131(b)(l)) When animals are in direct contact with the public, a knowledgeable and responsible attendant must be present. Dangerous animals such as lions and tigers must be under the direct control of an experienced trainer. (Section 2.131(cH2) and (3)) If public feeding of animals is allowed, the food must be provided by the animal facility according to the dietary needs of the species. (Section 2.131(cH4)) ------7 Current Federal &State Regulations There are three types of licenses under the USDA covering Breeders Leave Gaping Holes for Big Cat (Class AI. Dealers (Class B) and Exhibitors (Class C).A"commercial Attacks and Escapes purpose" is defined as when the The incomplete state and federal regulatory framework in the USA owner is earning more than $500 a fuels the trade in big cats. year from dealing, breeding or trad ing thebigcat(s).An individual ora Broadly speaking, the keeping of large cats falls into two categories: businesscan onlyobtain one III Big cats at wildlife facilities: The USDA manages the regulation of license. In cases where a business commercial or exhibiting animal facilities at a federal level. is under multi-ownership, each individual active in that business III Big cats as pets: Each state is responsible for regulating the ownership of large cats as pets and state regulations vary enormously. must be licensed. Class A (Breeder) USDA license is intended for individuals participating Big Cats at Wildlife Facilities: in the breeding and sale of animalS. The USDA Recognizes the Problems Class B(Dealer) USDA license pertains to individuals who partici The USDA is responsible for ensuring that commercial operators and pate in the sale and trade of ani· exhibitors that own exotic animals are abiding by the Animal Welfare Act mals or the offspring ofanimals (AWA). However, the USDA does not have the power to ban the ownership that are notpart .of the licensee's of exotic animals as pets. permanent collection. Under the USDA regulations, any person who possesses exotic animals Class C (Exhibitor) USDA license for the purposes of exhibition to the public, or to commercially breed or can be considered the ali-encom deal in exotic animals, is held accountable to the federal Animal Welfare passing license. Class C licensees Act (AWA) and must comply with its minimum standards of care and treat are permitted to breed and sell ment. The Animal Welfare Act is enforced by the Animal and Plant Health their own animals' offspring, sell Inspection Service (APHIS), part of the USDA, which licenses and regulates offspring from adults other than exhibitors, breeders and dealers. their own, and are permitted to Permits are issued when minimum requirements are fulfilled and a pre fully exhibit all animals. This class licensing inspection is completed. The license is then issued by APHIS. A covers most of the tigers in private year later, USDA-APHIS is required to inspect the facility, and to continue ownership. To be issued a Class C to do so annually, to ensure the facility is operating in compliance to the USDA license, the individual must Animal Welfare Act. engage in some sort of commer cialactivity (entertainment being a Despite these regulations, IFAW investigators witnessed serious common one). All licensed zoos in human safety and animal welfare violations at all of the 42 USDA-licensed the US receive a Class C license.7 facilities observed. All three license categories require The USDA itself recognizes that there are problems with inspecting the licensee to have adequate hus wildlife facilities and enforcing current regulations. It has conducted its bandry knowledge for the animals own audit and has put forth a number of its own recommendations, which they own. AdditionallY,all facilities IFAW supports (see page 9).. and animal care methods must comply with the AWA. In July 2004, the Animal Care Committee What if a Facility is not in Compliance with the of USDA-APHIS revised the han· dling requirements, stating,"AII Animal Welfare Act? licensees that maintain wild or There is no immediate penalty. Rather, the licensee is supposed to go exotic animals must demonstrate through a series of court proceedings, which can be appealed. Depending adequate experience and knowl on the court decision, the USDA must ensure that the licensee does not edge of the species they maintain:' continue to violate the Animal Welfare Act or in an unlikely case, that the (AWA section 2. 1311a)). However, licensee's permit is permanently revoked. However, if an individual's sufficiently enforcing these license is revoked,IFAW has found that it is very easy for that same indi requirements is nearly impossible vidual to become licensed under a different business name or for a family with current resources. member to become licensed for that individual." .~------_._._--_.._---_.._--_.-..._._----_._----_ ..._._---

1 www.aphis.usda.gov 81nformation derived from IFAW USDA court decision research and analysis 1998-current.

8 The average time between an APHIS inspector documenting AWA vio lations and a decision by the court to penalize the licensee is 3 years (IFAW has found the decision range to be between 5 months - 11 years).· The USDA does have the power to issue penalties and revoke licenses. Once a penalty is issued, one of two things can occur: the licensee is given a grace period to pay a fine and is issued a cease and desist order from operating (although the animals can usually remain on the property), or they are issued a penalty and their license is temporarily or permanently This is no kitty. Ahhougb servais are revoked. In the rare case that the operator's license is revoked, the animals small, they are particularly aggressive are not always confiscated. Instead, the operator is accountable for plac and dangerous pets. According to the ing animals with other exhibitors, which can mean recycling the animals Captive Wild Animal Protection Coalition back into substandard facilities or, often, that the animals never even leave (CWAPCI there have been 6 incidents the facility that was in violation.'· involving servais since 2001 - including In addition, there are a large amount of violation cases that are settled at least 2 attacks. outside the court. OCTOBER 2003 III A 425-lb. tiger is found ina Harlem apartment in Problems with the Current USDA licensing System NewYork City. OCTOBER 2003111 Famous entertain There are loopholes in the actual licensing process, there are loopholes in erRoyHornis neadykilledby a the inspection process and there are loopholes throughout the court penalty ~trained~ tiger - demonstrating process. All in all, the USDA is not operating at full capacity, utilizing their hovveventhe mostexperienced resources or acting with sufficient force to enforce the Animal Welfare Act. tiger handl.ers canbe

9 • The Animal Care Program offers a 75% discount on fines (agreed to by the violator) resulting in minimal amounts being paid in out-of-court settlements. • The tracking and prioritization of inspection activities is not being done effectively. • APHIS' Financial Management Division did not follow the law and internal control procedures in processing and collecting penalties. The Audit Report makes a number of recommendations including the An IFAW inve or was ad to pet following: a 1-year-old Siberian tiger. while the handler bottle-fed it at a USDA-licensed • Review all cases where the regions decline to take enforcement actions facility in Umatilla, FL The cat is staked against violators. out on a long leash (about 15 feet) and if it decided to attack. no hurna!! would be • Eliminate the automatic 75% discount for repeat violators or direct able to move quickly enough to get away. violations (where the animals' welfare is often at stake) and calculate USDA regulations state that leashes and fines based on the number of animals affected by the violation. trained handlers are not sufficient • Seek legislative change to increase the fines up to $10,000 for research Barriers and distance are needed to keep the public safe. facilities. • Conduct more frequent reviews of facilities identified as repeat violators.

• Fully train committee members on protocol review, facility inspectors "Wild animals are not appropriate and the Animal Welfare Act. pets; they're dangerous to people, they can bite, they injure and kill children and adults on a regular basis, they can transmit potentially Big Cats as Pets: Momentum Grows at the State Level deadly diseases, they can wreak Against Private Ownership havoc on the local environment and the indigenous wildlife popu Each of the 50 states regulates private ownership according to their lation when they're released." own laws and regulations. KIM HADDAD, DVM. • 15 states have a complete ban on the ownership of big cats: Alaska, Manager, Captive Wild Animal California, Colorado, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Protection Coalition Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, NewYork, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Wyoming." • The rest of the states have little or no regulation on the ownership of big cats. There are various levels of licensing depending on state laws and regu lations - ranging from needing an actual license to simply registering the animals with a state agency. Thirteen states have permit requirements, obligating the owner to purchase a permit for each animal in possession. Fourteen states have no permit requirements, but may require animals to be registered or receive a veterinary certificate, etc. The remaining states do not require the owner to do anything in order to keep a big cat as a pet. Even if the ownership of big cats at the state level was banned, a signif ieant problem would remain in terms of what to do with the existing big cat population. This aduh lion may be purring from being scratched - but could just as easily tum Given the enormous amount of exotic animals in substandard, "pseudo around and bite off the hand of this sanctuaries" across the country, the number of confiscations on welfare woman. Like tigers, adult lions often grounds can only escalate. This places a huge burden on the USDA, which has become unexpectedly aggressive and limited options of adequate facilities at which to place confiscated animals. can attack trainers who have handled --_._-~._.._.._.._."..__._ _-_ __ __---_ __._ _._•....._.._ __ ~_._._---_ _ _---_._-_.__.._- them from birth. "States that have a ban on ownership, but not all include big cats: Alaska, Arkansas. California, Colorado. Connecticut, Florida. Georgia. Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Maine. Michigan. Nebraska. New Hampshire, New Mexico,Tennessee, Utah. Vermont and Wyoming

10 IFAW believes that there needs to be toughe regulations at both the federal and state levels t promote public safety and to ensure the welfar ig cats in captivity. Improved and well-enforced standar care would curb breeding and trading practices improve substandard facilities, thus eventually r the number of big cats in cruel confinement.

ATTHE FEDERAL LEVEL (4) Tougher Fines for Animal Welfare ActViolations In order to help the USDA better enforce the Animal Welfare Act and addresS the animal welfare and human Fines and penalties need to be increased for violations safety concerns of keeping big cats in pr wnership, of the Act and should be used to improve enforcement. IFAW is making the following recommen ations: These penalties can also help fund:

II Costs incurred in providing te and maintenance of seized ani

II Rewards to anyone who furnishes information which To protect public safety and improve the stan leads to an arrest, conviction or civil penalty assessment; care and living conditions for large cats living in Department of Agriculture-licensed facilities, IFAW is . II Expenses directly related to inspections, investigations and civil or criminal enforcement proceedings; calling for the establishment of a new USDA category of license for facilities holding large cats which would specif II Veterinary services, hospital care or medicines needed ically address this group of animals (any live species of for abused animals. lion, tiger, leopard, cheetah, jaguar, or cougar or any hybrid of such species) and provide the types of amenities ATTHE STATE LEVEL needed to guarantee public safety. Big Cats as Pets Should be Banned in Every State. (2) Prohibition on Direct Contact with General Public IFAW is working with individual states to ban private IFAW believes that the only way the public can truly be ownership of dangerous animals as pets. Momentum is protected from big cats is if they are never allowed to come building against the private ownership of big cats as pets into direct contact with them.Therefore, as part of the new _ almost 1/3 of states have outright bans on the posses category of license, IFAW recommends a prohibition on of large, dangerous cats. However, there is much direct contact by the general public and volunteers so that ore work to be done: each USDA licensee and registrant that holds large cats will II More than 2/3 of state governments allow the private be required to take the steps necessary to ensure that the purchase and possession of large cats. public does not come into direct contact with them. We believe this new requirement is in the best interest of both II A handful of states have no regulations regarding big cats whatsoever (with some exception for proof of the animals and the general public. IFAW also recommends legal ownership and health certificates). that the USDA be given the authority to expand this no contact policy to include other dangerous animals. II In the more than 1/3 of states that require an import/ownership permit, license or registration to own a large cat, attacks and escapes continue.

for more information on IFAW's work to protect big cats and promote public safety, visit: www.ifaw.ol'gluslbomtobewild. , " To support our efforts to protect animals worldwide, visit www.ifaw.org or can '·SOO·932·IFAW.

11 :ommonly Asked Big Cat Questions http://www.thefcf.com/legal/USDABigCat.asp?key=416

[ Contact Us ]. [ Membership ]. [ Online Store] I Search ••••••

Members' Cat Talk Species Specific The law And Your Cat Risk Assessment Survey Results I How to Secure Fair Regulations I Perimeter Fence Law I Introduction to FCF Model Regulations I You Can Help I Why Bans Do Not Work I Public Safety I state Summary I What to do when faced with a ban law I Endangered Species Act I Legal Issues: Protectirig Your Rights I Citizen Lobbyist and Animal Ownership I Big Cats as safety Issue... I How a Bill Becomes Law I Federal Legislation

USDA HR 5909 Haley'~ Act '2006 Annual Convention Review' Bay Cat Commonly Asked Big Cat Questions

I've heard that there have been chang~ in the regulation~ regarding the handling of big cat~. I~ that true? Related Stories on USDA-Commonly Asked The handling regulation~were amended in July 2004, and a new section 2.131 (a) was added. It states: "All Bi Cat Questions licensees that maintain wild or exotic animals must demonstrate adequate experience and knowledge of the Big Cat Policy species they maintain:' Consequently, the other subsections in Section 2,131 were renumbered, Gallery-Prohibited by Haley's act-HR5909 Most of the handling questions we receive involving big cats concern the current Section 2.131 (c)(1). The USDA: Declawing and Tooth Removal Secretary of Agriculture has determined that there is an inherent danger present for both the viewing public and the exhibited animal(s) where there is any chance that the public could come into direct contact with juvenile or adult big cats. The handling regulations prohibit the exhibition of such animals without sufficient distance and/or barriers between the animals and the viewing public to assure the safety of the public and the animals. Trained handlers, leashes, and stages, for example, are not substitutes for sufficient distance and/or barriers.

What ~pecies are considered to be "big cats" by APHIS?

Lions, tigers, jaguars, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, and any hybrids thereof. This list is consistent with the definition of big cats in the Lacey Act.

What about cubs? Can I exhibit them in situation~ allOWing contact with the public?

It depends. The handling regulations require that all animals be handled as carefully as possible. They also specifically prohibit young or immature animals from exposure to rough or excessive public handling, and prohibit animals from being subjected to any combination of temperature, humidity, and time that is detrimental to the animal s health and well-being. The latter requires exhibitors to take into consideration an animal's age, species, and overall health status, among other things, Although we do not encourage public contact with cubs, it is possible for an exhibitor to exhibit cubs over apprOXimately 8 weeks of age (i.e., when their immune systems have developed sufficiently to protect them from most communicable diseases), to the public, and still comply with all of the regulatory requirements

What is meant by the term public?

The terms "the public" and" the general viewing public" in the handling regulations generally mean customers or visitors, and not an exhibitor's paid employees or unpaid bona fide workers who comprise the exhibitor's regular work force (i.e., personnel with regular hours who work under formal arrangements). Exhibitors themselves are not "the public" or "the general viewing public."

Are volunteers member, of the public?

The public and the general viewing public can also include volunteers. We have learned of several exhibitors who charge fees or accept donations from volunteers or trainees in exchange for interaction with juvenile and/or adult big cats. We consider such volunteers or trainees to constitute the public, and have prosecuted these exhibitors for violating the handling regulations, among other things.

Is pUblic feeding of big cats allowed?

Generally, exhibitions that allow the public to feed adult or juvenile big cats do not meet the handling regulations.. We are aware of only one exhibition that does. In this eXhibition, the animals are held in enclosures and there is a second barrier that both keeps members of the public at a safe distance from the actual enclosure and prevents contact between the animals and the public. This second barrier eliminates the public's ability to approach or reach into the animals enclosure, and eliminates the animal's ability to reach out and scratch or grab people, Members of the public, while behind the barriers, can place food into a chute that runs into the enclosure. The food used is appropriate for the species and is not provided in excessive amounts.

pdf: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/dealer/handling.pdf

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keykey ~ Posted: Thu Sep 14, 20068:29 pm Post subject: Tigers declawed for Make-A-Wish ** Nerd ** Foundation! The veteran veterinarian declawed three Siberian tiger cubs Monday at his Underwood Animal Hospital in Heath, where the tigers' owners, Terry and •• Marian Thompson, of Zanesville, take their tigers, lions and leopards for care. Other exotic animals go elsewhere, Terry Thompson said.

Thompson said the three tigers were declawed Monday so they could be handled by children who have their wish granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical Joined: 16 Jan 2006 conditions. Posts: 619 Location: London, ON Ok now I don't agree with dedawing a wild animal it just isn't right. Canada Not unless the animals was going to die and they need to safe its life. I understand the Make-A-Wish Foundation, but there should be another way other then dedawing wild animals.

Also in this article was. Quote: Siberian tigers are an endangered species, indigenous to eastern Russia, northeast China and parts of North Korea. The largest ofall living cats, males can grow to weigh an average of650 pounds, while females tip the scales at about 350 pounds, according to www.tiqerhomes.orq.

I) http://tinyurl.com/ pw356

~ Posted: Thu Sep 14, 2006 10:47 pm Post subject: ~ ._;1 Oh WOW! OK, I have to say that I am SO totally against declawing a feline (or any animal for that matter) that I am sitting here thinkihgabout writing a letter or SOMETHING to the "Make a Wish Foundation". This bothers me a lot. There is probably a "LIST" for prospective children/families to look through and choose from.....ie the sorts of 'wishes' the foundation is able to provide. Maybe. How many children would just 'conjure up' that idea of playing with tiger cUb~;;".hmmm? So. Perhaps the Foundation could be encouraged to think up a better idea. Just thinking out loud here folks.....what do YOU think? Joined: 04 May 2004 Posts: 1847 I also think it is WAY COOL e e e to see Tigerhomes.org quoted (WITH a link to the Location: main page) in that article!! WTG! Michigan~Endlessly sorting snapshots!

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Cl Posted: Fri Sep 15, 2006 1:53 pm Post subject: Ug, I don't think that would be on the cub's wish lists •.

It's sabertoothed cat, not sabertoothed tiger!

Yea, I'm a Leopard!

I'm #103112 on Furry Paws, in case any questions regarding my art turn up

Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 203 Location: Hot, Stormy Oklahoma

Barbara] Cl Posted: Fri Sep 15, 20064:47 pm Post subject: Declawing ~ Htlll * Little Nerd * I seem to remember that we had a topic in here before about declawing and how harsh ... it is on the animals, even crippling as they get older. Very bad idea. "It's not that I'm so smart, it's just that I stay with problems longer". Albert Einstein

Joined: 18 Aug 2004 Posts: 521 Location: North Carolina Back to top

viad . Cl Posted: Fri Sep 15, 20069:05 pm Post subject: Marbled Cat Barbara - Is this the discussion that you were referring to?

• Protect the 1st State Law Banning Declawing of Exotic Cats

This is yet another example of our mutilating animals so that they can relate to us on OUR terms! tit By "our terms" I'm referring to the misplaced notion that we can relate to and trust the big cats the same way we would a domesticated pet! Once these animals become large, they are still LETHAL, even with teeth & claws removed. Joined: 24 Jul 2005 Posts: 1920 No doubt these people were only thinking of the the children when they had this done, Location: Enjoying the CYBER-JUNGLE! however -- that does not take away from how cruel that is to the baby tigers. Cats walk on their toes & need their claws to walk normally, stretch their tendons, climb, defend themselves, and to stay on equal footing (pun intended e )with their "clawed" counterparts.

Dave has reminded us often -- of how seldom people give serious thought to animals needs or welfare, or treat them with enough importance.•e Big cats (and little ones) actually NEED their claws to have the healthiest and most fulfilling lives. We have the domestic housecats as companion animals. Too often people try to do the same thing with the big cats -- and it often leads to a great deal of suffering on the part of the big cat. Imagine having an itch that you cannot scratch because all you have to deal with it are your TEETH! e Imagine someone trimming off the last jointof all ten toes! That is what declawing does! It is not just a nail removal. The first knuckle is removed on all four feet! Every person that I've told had decided NEVER to declaw their domestic cat. Many people don't know how cruel this procedure is to the animal. It is mutilation. See the video of the puma trying to walk in the link above (from Collective Effort on the declaw law).

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We need to THINK about these things before we make irreversible decisions for animals who are unable to withhold or grant their consent. What a responsibility we have! • Their quality of life is important, and in my personal opinion, we should not diminish that in order to force an animal to relate to us on OUR terms (like a domestic animal when they are actually WILD!).

Pretty interesting about the Ohio laws... The ownership of a Siberian tiger is unregulated, while the ownership of a bobcat, which is WAY smaller & less lethal is regulated because they are a native endangered species.•• Quote: There are no laws in Ohio regulating the private ownership of any exotic animals, unless they are used as part ofa business. State law requires only a permit to possess native endangered species, such as the bobcat, according to the Ohio Department ofNatural Resources.

"Time spent with cats is never wasted. "- May Sarton

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of3 10/4/2006 II :22 AM Laurie oJ Gage To: Barbara A Kohn/MD/APHIS/USDA@USDA cc: 10104/200611 :26 AM Subject: Articles~

Well this isn't exactly what I'm looking for but it is the best I can find right now... At least it shows the animals are not normal after 12 days....

Effect ofpostoperative analgesic protocol on limb function following onychectomy in cats J Am Vet Med Assoc. July 2005;227(1):89-93. Cory W Romans, Wanda J Gordon, Duane A Robinson, Richard Evans, Michael G Conzemius Department ofVeterinary Clinical Sciences, College ofVeterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic effects oftopical administration ofbupivacaine, Lm. administration ofbutorphanol, and transdermal administration offentanyl in cats undergoing onychectomy. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 27 healthy adult cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were randomly assigned to 1 of3 treatment groups, and unilateral (left forefoot) onychectomy was performed. Gaitanalysis was performed before and 1,2,3, and 12 days after surgery. All forces were expressed as a percentage ofthe cat's body weight. RESULTS: On day 2, peak vertical force (PVF) was significantly decreased in cats treated withbupivacaine, compared with cats treated with butorphanol or fentanyl. The ratio ofleft forelimb PVF to PVF ofthe other 3 limbs was significantly lower on day 2 in cats treated with bupivacaine than in cats treated with fentanyl. No significant differences in vertical impulse (VI) were found between groups on any day. Values for PVF, VI, and the PVF ratio increased progressively following surgery. However, for all 3 groups, values were still significantly decreased, compared with baseline values, 12 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that limb function following onychectomy is significantly better in cats treated with fentanyl transdermally or butorphanol i.m. than in cats treated with bupivacaine topically. Regardless ofthe analgesic regimen, limb function was still significantly reduced 12 days after surgery, suggesting that long-term analgesic treatment should be considered for cats undergoing onychectomy. Irrigation ofthe surgical incisions with bupivacaine prior to wound closure cannot be recommended as the sole method for providing postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy.

Laurie J. Gage, D.v.M. USDA APHIS Large Cat Specialist Laurie J Gage To: Barbara A Kohn/MD/APHIS/USDA@USDA cc: 10104/200611:45 AM Subject: Anotherarticle... [§]

Here is another article about our lack of ability to assess pain in cats. It mentions cats after an onychectomy. Not sure why we need to defend our position when it is in line with the position of the AVMA. Somehow, more than just a few vets are concerned about this problem.

Assessing Feline Pain (V139) Western Veterinary Conference 2005 Sheilah Robertson Section ofAnesthesia and Pain Management, University ofFlorida Gainesville, FL, USA

Objectives ofthe Presentation

Cats may experience acute pain related to trauma or surgical procedures or chronic pain associated with several disease processes including osteoarthritis, dental disease, skin disease, cancer and interstitial cystitis. The ability to assess an individual cat's pain and its response to intervention is essential iftreatment is to be. successful. In the clinical setting assessment depends primarily on observing changes in behavior. This presentation will highlight clinically relevant assessment tools for both acute and chronic pain in the feline patient.

Key Clinical Diagnostic Points

Pain is an extremely complex multidimensional experience with both sensory and affective (emotional) elements. Obviously, there are distinct populations, including human neonates, nonverbal adults, and animals that cannot express their pain overtly. All mammals possess the neuroanatomic and neuropharmacologic components necessary for transduction, transmission, and perception ofnoxious stimuli; therefore it should be assumed that animals do experience pain even ifthey cannot communicate it in the same way humans do. Because ofthis dilemma, the International Association for the Study ofPain (lASP) has added the following important caveat to its definition ofpain: "The inability to communicate in no way negates the possibility that an individual is experiencing pain and is in need ofappropriate pain-relieving treatment." Therein lies the challenge ofassessing pain in those individuals.

All pain is subjective. No one can "feel" another person's pain. Even after identical surgical procedures, humans do not experience the same quality and intensity ofpain. In view ofthat, how can we determine with any degree ofcertainty what an animal feels? Put simply: in humans, pain is what the patient says it is; and in animals it is what humans say it is. Clearly, there is more room for error when humans assess pain in an animal, because all judgments are subjective and, ifthe humans "get it wrong," a great disservice is done to the patient It has been known for some time that each person is unique with respect to the number, morphology and distribution ofopioidreceptors and that these differences are genetically determined. This phenomenon has recently been confirmed in cats with the identification ofopioid "responders" and

"non-responders" 1. This may explain differences in pain tolerance and the range ofresponses to analgesic drugs and emphasizes the importance ofpain assessment in each individual.

There is presently no gold standard for assessing pain in animals. Many different scoring methods that include physiologic (in an attempt to identifY objective measures) and behavioral variables have been published, but few have been rigorously validated. The issue ofpain assessment in animals is especially complex because consideration must include differences in gender, age, species, breed, and environment. Assessment systems must also take into account the different types and sources of pain, such as acute versus chronic or neuropathic pain and visceral compared to somatic pain.

Many cats undergo surgery at least once in their lifetime since the majority ofpet cats are sterilized. z In spite ofthis, they tend to be under treated for pain and remain the "poor relation" ofthe dog .,. For example although veterinary surgeons scored the pain associated with an exploratory laparotomy in 4 dogs and cats equally, 71 % ofdogs received analgesics for this procedure compared to 56% ofcats • Fortunately, in the last few years, the cat has received greater attention and various methods of managing surgical, traumatic and chronic pain have been developed and assessed.

Cat pain is under treated for several reasons, but not because ofa lack ofcompassion by caregivers. Before we can say we have treated pain in cats, we must be able to recognize it and this presents one ofthe greatest challenges in pain management ofcats. Pain is difficult to recognize in this species as they do not demonstrate pain overtly; indicators ofpain may be subtle and easily missed even by 6 7 diligent observers • ,. Proper assessment ofpain in cats will depend on the development and 8 validation ofbehavior based multidimensional pain measurement tools. Such tools exist fordogs , but similar tools for cats are in their infancy.

Studies that have tried to correlate objective physiological data such as heart rate, blood pressure. 9 temperature, respiratory rate, plasma cortisol and beta-endorphins ,10 with pain in cats with variable success. For example, in a tightly controlled research setting, blood pressure looked promising as an ll 9 indirect indicator ofpain in cats but in a clinical environment this variable was an unreliable • Changes in plasma cortisol and beta-endorphins are components ofthe "stress response" to anesthesia and surgery, and much effort has been expended trying to correlate these hormones with pain in laboratory and clinical analgesia trials. Plasma cortisol is an extremely unreliable indicator of 10 pain per se in cats . Mechanical nociceptive threshold testing with various devices (palpometers, algometers) (Figure 1) has proved to be a useful technique for evaluating both primary (wound) and lZ secondary (remote areas) hyperalgesia in cats • Changes in wound sensitivity have correlated with visual analog scoring in cats 'Z suggesting that assessing wound tenderness is a valuable tool and should be incorporated into an overall assessment protocol. Palpometers have been useful in clinical studies ofwound sensitivity.

Observation ofbehavior is undoubtedly the best means ofassessing the degree ofpain experienced by a cat 6. This requires some experience ofobserving normal (pain free) behavior in cats so that decreases in normal behaviors as well as recognition ofnew behaviors can be recognized or documented. Cats in acute traumatic or postoperative pain are usually depressed, immobile and silent. They may appear tense and distanced from their environment and do not respond to petting or attention and may often try to hide.·Some cats become manic and aggressive, growl and hiss and roll around their cage, but this is less common. Purring can be misleading in cats as they may do this when content and also when "distressed", fearful or in pain.

Cats often shake their paws and try to bite at their feet ifbandages are placed on declaw wounds. In general, many cats dislike any restrictive dressings, including the tape used to secure intravenous catheters, and will shake, bite, or "freak out" ifsuch dressings are placed. These behaviors could indicate pain or dislike ofthe bandage so it is important to differentiate between the two. Dislike ofbandages and pain must be differentiated in the post-operative period.

Levy et ai. 13 reported that application ofbandages alone caused a 200%increase in urine cortisol, suggesting that cats find this stressful. One important step in pain evaluation is to manipulate the affected area to confirm the presence, or absence ofpain. Cats with abdominal pain adopt a sternal posture, with elbows back, stifles forward and abdominal muscles tensed. Limb pain prevents weight bearing and may cause self-mutilation at the site ofpain. One.ofthe many commonly reported problems following onychectomy is excessive licking and chewing ofthe feet.

Scoring Systems

Because animals cannot self-report, all scoring systems that depend on a human observer must by definition be subjective to some degree and leave room for error, which could be either under- or over-assessment ofthe animal's pain. Any system used must be valid, reliable, and sensitive. Without strictly defined criteria and use ofwell-trained and experienced observers, many scoring systems are too variable. Simple descriptive (ranging form no pain to worst pain), numerical rating (usually a scale of 1 to 5 which correlates with descriptors), and visual analog scales [VAS] (placing a mark on a 100 mm line anchored by no pain on one end and worst possible pain on the other) are all commonly used to assess acute pain. In dogs these tools showed significant observer variability--as high as 36%, however the numerical rating scale was most suitable ifa single, trained 15 observer performed all assessments .

An expansion ofthe VAS system is the DIVAS system; animals are first observed from a distance undisturbed and then approached, handled, and encouraged to move or walk. Finally the surgical incision and surrounding area are palpated, and a final overall assessment ofsedation and pain is made. This approach overcomes some ofthe deficiencies ofpurely observational systems; for example, a cat may lie very still and quiet because a wound is painful and this would go undetected unless the observer interacted with the animal. The DIVAS system has been used to assess postoperative pain in cats and, when performed by one individual unaware oftreatments, it detected differences between analgesics (meperidineand carprofen) and between treated (analgesia) and l6 untreated (no analgesia) cats •

Each practice should choose or design a pain scoring system that meets its own specific needs, and finding one that suits may require trial and error. The system chosen should be user friendly and readily used by both veterinarians and animal care staff. It should also be an integral part ofthe animal's postoperative evaluation. After temperature, pulse, and respiration are checked, pain, which has been coined the "fourth vital sign," should also be assessed and treated, ifnecessary. A scale should include both non-interactive and interactive components and rely heavily on changes in behavior.

Behaviors That May Indicate Pain in Cats

Cats that adopt a hunched posture, sit quietly and seek no attention, or resent being handled are likely experiencing pain. A cat sitting quietly in the back ofthe cage after surgery may be painful; however, a caregiver who anticipates more active signs ofpain, such as pacing or vocalizing, would not recognize that pain. Figure 3 shows a cat that is comfortable following surgery; note the normal relaxed lateral position. In contrast, the cat in Figure 4 is hunched, with its head hung low.

Despite major surgery this cat has adopted a normal sleeping posture indicating that it is comfortable. This cat is showing classic signs ofdiscomfort following surgery; it has adopted a hunched appearance with its head hung low and eyes slanted.

Lack ofgrooming is abnormal in cats and should prompt the observer to assess pain; however, it is unlikely that a caregiver can draw any reasonable conclusions about grooming in the immediate post-operative period. Thus, lack ofgrooming would not be expected to be a helpful criterion during the first 12 to 24 post surgical hours but can be useful in the successive postoperative days.

An important component ofpain assessment in all animals, including cats, is palpation ofthe wound (Figure 2, 5). Palpation ofthe surgical site and surrounding areas should be part ofthe overall pain assessment protocol.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is undoubtedly a clinical problem in cats, but is not well documented. Compared to 17 dogs very little is known about degenerative joint disease in cats , but radiographic evidence in geriatric cats suggests the incidence may be as high as 90%18. Because ofa pet cat's lifestyle, lameness is not a common owner complaint, but changes in behavior including decreased grooming, reluctance to jump up on favorite places, aversion to being petted or stroked, and soiling outside the litter box should prompt the veterinarian to look for sources ofchronic pain. Many signs are insidious and not obvious to the owner who sees the cat every day. In addition, many owners disregard these changes as inevitable with ageing. However the owner is the person who knows the cat best and with careful questioning, invaluable information on changes in behavior can be obtained. Owners may not realize how debilitated their pet was until they see dramatic improvements following treatment. Recently, modifications ofpressure platforms have enabled gait evaluation ofcats 19, which may offer an objective method ofassessing lameness and efficacy of treatment in this species. Currently there are no validated chronic pain scoring systems for cats, but as in dogs, we should be striving not so much for a system that exclusively assesses pain, but rather the ov~rall quality oflife. Such tools are being developed in dogs20 and hopefully will be developed for cats in the near future.

Summary Careful assessment ofeach individual patient is essential to effective pain management. The most accurate assessment systems involve looking at changes in behavior, or exhibition ofabnonnal behaviors. Evaluation may include observing the cat from a distance, but most importantly interactive, "hands-on" assessment is essential and this includes palpation ofthe painful site. Chronic pain assessment will depend heavily on infonnation contributed by the owner. Each practice should develop a scoring system that meets their needs and include this as part ofthe medical record.

References

1. Lascelles BD, Robertson SA. Use oftherrnal threshold response to evaluate the antinociceptive effects ofbutorphanol in cats. AmJ Vet Res 2004; 65:1085-1089.

2. Dohoo S, Dohoo I. Postoperative use ofanalgesics in dogs and cats by Canadian veterinarians. Can Vet J 1996; 37:546-551.

3. Watson A, Nicholson A, Church D, Pearson M. Use ofanti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs in dogs and cats. Aust Vet J 1996; 74:203-210.

4. Lascelles B, Capner C, Watennan-Pearson AE. A survey ofcurrent British Veterinary attitudes to peri-operative analgesia for cats and small mammals. Veterinary Record 1999; 145:601-604.

5. Joubert K. The use ofanalgesic drugs by South African veterinarians. JS Afr Vet Assoc 2001; 72:57-60.

6. Lascelles D, Watennan A. Analgesia in Cats. In Practice 1997:203-213.

7. Lamont LA. Feline perioperative pain management. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2002; 32:747-763, v.

8. Holton L, Reid J, Scott EM, Pawson P, Nolan A. Development ofa behaviour-based scale to measure acute pain in dogs. Vet Rec 2001; 148:525-531.

9. Smith J, Allen S, Quandt J. Changes in cortisol concentration in response to stress and postoperative pain in client-owned cats and correlation with objective clinical variables. Am J Vet Res 1999; 60:432-436.

10. Cambridge A, Tobias K, Newberry R, Sarkar D. Subjective and objective measurements of postoperative pain in cats. JAm Vet MedAssoc 2000; 217:685-590.

11. Smith J, Allen S, Quandt J, Tackett R. Indicators ofpostoperative pain in cats and correlation with clinical criteria. Am J Vet Res 1996; 57: 1674-1678.

12. Slingsby L, Jones A, Watennan,..Pearson AE. Use ofa new finger-mounted device to compare mechanical nociceptive thresholds in cats given pethidine or no medication after castration. Res Vet Sci 2001; 70:243-246.

13. Levy J, Lapham B, Hardie E, McBride M. Evaluation oflaser onychectomy in the cat 19th Annual Meeting ofthe American Society ofLaser Medicine and Surgery. Lake Buena Vista, FL,1999.

14. Patronek G. Assesment ofclaims ofshort- and long-term complications associated with onychectomy in cats. JAm Vet Med Assoc 2001; 219:932-937.

15. Holton LL, Scott EM, Nolan AM, Reid J, Welsh E, Flaherty D. Comparison ofthree methods used for assessment ofpain in dogs. JAm Vet Med Assoc 1998; 212:61-66.

16. Slingsby L, Waterman-Pearson A. Comparison ofpethidine, buprenorphine and ketoprofen for postoperative analgesia after ovariohysterectomy in the cat. Vet Rec 1998; 143:185-189.

17. Hardie E. Management ofosteoarthritis in cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 1997; 24:945-953.

18. Hardie E, Roe S, Martin F. Radiographic evidence ofdegenerative joint disease in geriatric cats: 100 cases (1974-1997). JA VMA 2002; 220:628-632.

19. Conzemius M, Horstman C, Gordon W, Evans R. Non-invasive, objective determination oflimb function in cats using pressure platform gait analysis. 30th Annual ConferenceVeterinary Orthopedic Society. Steamboat Springs, Colorado, 2003: pp 84.

20. Wiseman-Orr ML, Nolan AM, Reid J, Scott EM. Development ofa questionnaire to measure the effects ofchronic pain on health related quality oflife in dogs. American Journal ofVeterinary Research 2004; 65:1077-1084.

Speaker Information

Laurie J. Gage, D.v.M. USDA APHIS Large Cat Specialist Laurie J Gage To: Barbara A Kohn/MD/APHIS/USDA@USDA cc: 10/04/2006 11 :36 AM Subject: .Here is one on pain management

Hi Barb

Well most everything in the literature has to do with small cats, but this one is of interest as it puts the onychectomy in the category of" moderate to severe pain",

Identification of Pain: Cats Are Not Small Dogs International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Symposium :;W05 Tamara L. Grubb, DVM, MS, DACVA Pain Management, Pfizer Animal Health Uniontown, WA, USA Pain is described in Stedman's Medical Dictionary as, "suffering, either physical or mental; an impression on the sensory nerves causing distress or, when extreme, agony". The sensation of pain is perceived and processed by peripheral receptors, afferent pathways to the spinal cord, discrete neurological tracts ascending the spinal cord and terminal modulating and perceptual areas in the brain. The anatomical components of this pathway are present in all mammals, from hamsters to human beings to horses, and we should be certain that animals do indeed feel pain. As veterinarians, we take an oath to "use scientific knowledge and skills for the ...relief of animal suffering..." and the prevention and/or relief of both acute and chronic animal suffering should be a common objective of each and every veterinarian and veterinary nurse or technician. However, not all of our patients receive the best pain management that we can provide. For instance, cats, the most popular pet in the United States, are frequently under treated for pain.'" This occurs for a variety of reasons, including difficulty in recognizing pain in cats and lack of knowledge of analgesic therapy for cats. Recognizing Pain Pain is one of the leading reasons that human beings seek medical care and is considered to be so importantto overall health that it has now become the fifth vital sign, along with body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure. The human patient is able to provide a pain score, which can be recorded. Unfortunately, the assessment of animal pain is more complex and, understandably, we have difficulty assessing the degree of pain that animals experience. The sensation of pain is a very individual response and is difficult to quantify, especially in patients that lack the ability to verbalize, like children and animals, and to describe the intensity of the pain. We are left with an array of behavioral, physiological and endocrinological changes that we attribute to pain. Behaviorally, animals often display avoidance or aggression, especially when a painful area is approached or palpated. Vocalization, anorexia, restlessness and insomnia are often associated with pain. On a physiological basis, tachycardia, tachypnea and hypertension often occur during painful episodes. Endocrine changes are used primarily in pain investigations to decrease the chance that learned behavioral (e.g., aggression) and physiological (e.g., tachycardia) responses to situations other than pain (e.g., hospitalization) are mistaken for exhibition of pain. However, all of these behavioral, physiological and hormonal parameters can change with stress that is not associated with pain and this makes their interpretation even more difficult. We must also look for more subtle changes that occur in the specific animal's behavior before and after the painful experience. As a result, technicians and other support staff that have close contact with the patient both before and after surgery or other painful procedures often become the most important link between the patient and the veterinarian and should serve as the patient's advocate in the elimination of patient pain and suffering. This role extends to the pet owner after the pet is discharged from the hospital. All care givers should be familiar with the signs of pain in our animal patients. Recognition of pain can be especially difficult in cats since they rarely demonstrate pain overtly. Although objective measures like changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, etc... should be noted, a change in behavior from the normal is the most common sign of pain in cats. A previously friendly cat will become angry or aggressive, or a cat that hid in a box will no longer care if it is out in the open. A list of pain behaviors often exhibited by cats is presented in Table 1. As expected from our own clinical experiences, many of the behaviors are contradictory (e.g., aggression vs hiding) or not intuitively associated with painful behavior (e.g., purring) and we must remember that it is the behavior change that is most important. TIP: If the presence of pain truly cannot be determined, a small dose of an analgesic drug can be used to 'ask' the patient if it is in pain. If the patient appears more relaxed and comfortable following the test dose, then a full dose of the analgesic drug should be administered.

Table 1.. Typical pain-associated behaviors in cats (Adapted from 'Essential Tools for 3 Pain Management~ Pfizer Animal Health )

Posture Temperament Vocalization Locomotion Other Arched head, neck Avoidance (hiding or Cats often fail to Reluctance to move Tachycardia or back withdrawing) vocalize when in or be moved Tachypnea Tucked abdomen Aggressive pain Restlessness, Shallow breathing Lying flat on side (attacking, biting, May growl, hiss, circling, inability to Dilated pupils Tucked into a ball scratching) yowl or even purr rest or sleep Anorexia Agitation Lameness or stilted Difficulty or disinterest in Any change from gait grooming pre-pain behavior Inability to move Difficulty urinating, Strong reaction defecating, etc.. when painful site is Failure to use litter box approached or Inappropriate urination palpated Muscle tremors Etc...

Anticipating Pain However, even with observant care givers, the signs of pain are often missed since many of the species that are our patients inherently and instinctively hide signs of pain in the presence of a human observer. It is not that animals don't feel pain, but that their instincts are those of a prey/predator society in which demonstration of pain is a sign of weakness. Thus, the animal might not exhibit overt signs of pain or might not exhibit signs of pain until the pain is so intense that the animal can no longer hide the pain. However, since animals have the same neuroanatomic pain pathway that human beings have, we can be certain that procedures that are painful to us are painful to cats. We must often rely on the knowledge that our patient has suffered a stressor that is most likely painful (e.g., trauma or surgery) and treat the patient with analgesics while monitoring for elimination or alleviation of the signs of pain. In other words pain should be expected from procedures known to cause pain and should be treated accordingly. And since pain can be particularly difficult to detect in cats--and in most other patients that are unable to verbalize (e.g., dogs, horses, human infants, etc...)--we should endeavor to treat based on the expected pain rather than waiting for pain to be exhibited. When possible, pain should be anticipated and prevented rather than treatedafter completion of a painful procedure. See Table 2 for predicted pain intensities for a variety of procedures and conditions and see the two quotes below for views that should dictate the way we treat pain in veterinary patients. "Conscientious provision of analgesia to patients, who may exhibit no behavioral evidence of pain, dramatically reduces morbidity and mortality after major surgery. Veterinarians thus should no longer force patients to prove that they are in pain when common sense indicates that they might be." Dr. Bernie Hansen' "One of the psychological curiosities of therapeutic decision making is the withholding of analgesic drugs because the clinician is not absolutely certain that the animal is experiencing pain. Yet the same individual will administer antibiotics without documenting the presence of a bacterial infection. Pain and suffering constitute the only situation in which I believe that, if in doubt, one should go ahead and treat." 5 Dr. Lloyd Davis

Table 2. Anticipation ofpain intensity based on procedure or condition (Adapted from: Mathews KA, Vet Clinics ofNorth America, 2000;30:729-7Ssl I. Mild Pain • Early, resolving, or simple conditions • Routine dentistry, no extractions II. Mild to Moderate Pain • Castration (some species or animals) • Cutaneous or subcutaneous mass removal • Minor ophthalmic procedures • Minor dental procedures • Minor lacerations • Cystitis, otitis • Chest drains III. Moderate Pain • Extracapsular cruciate repair • Minimally invasive orthopedic procedures • Laparotomy (some, uncomplicated) • Diaphragmatic hernia repair (acute, simple) • Mass removal (moderately invasive, not extensive) • Early or resolving pancreatitis • Soft tissue injuries (not severe) • Urethral obstruction • Ovariohysterectomy • Castration (some) • Enucleation IV. Moderate to Severe and Severe Pain (Varies with degree of illness or injury) • Osteoarthritis, acute polyarthritis • Intra-articular surgical procedures • Fracture repair (single or uncomplicated) • Limb amputation • Onychectomy • Peritonitis • Capsular pain as a result of organomegaly (e.g., pyelonephritis, hepatitis, splenitis) • Hollow organ distention • Mesenteric, gastric, testicular or other torsions • Ureteral, urethral, or biliary obstruction • Thoracotomy • Laparotomy (some) • Pleuritis • Diaphragmatic hernia (some) • Trauma (some) • Thoracolumbar disc disease • Total ear canal ablation • Cancer pain • Thrombosis or ischemia • Hypertrophic osteodystrophy • Panosteitis • Corneal abrasion or ulcer • Glaucoma • Uveitis • Whelping or queening • Mastitis V. Severe to Excruciating Pain • Neuropathic pain, including nerve entrapment, Cervical intervertebral disk herniation and inflammation • Extensive inflammation (e.g., peritonitis, fasciitis, cellulitis) • Post-surgical pain where extensive tissue injury or inflammation exists • Multiple fracture repair +/- extensive soft tissue injury • Necrotizing pancreatitis or cholecystitis • Pathologic fractures • Bone cancer • Meningitis

Analgesic therapy for cats Although few drugs are currently licensed by the FDA for relief of pain ill cats in the United States, a number ofavailable analgesic drugs can be safely and effectively used in this species. In fact, the same classes of analgesic drugs commonly used in dogs such as opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs, local anesthetic agents, alpha-2 agonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, etc... canalso be used 7 incats. " Cats also often respond well to non-pharmacologic therapy, like acupuncture and massage. Regardless of which drugs are chosen, 3 basic tenets of pain management should always be followed: 1) analgesic drugs should be administered preemptively; 2) multimodal analgesia should be used whenever possible; and 3) analgesia should continue as long as pain is present. Pain does not end just because the patient is discharged from the hospital. "Preemptive analgesia" or analgesia administered prior to the painful stimulus prevents or alleviates the hypersensitization of the pain pathways; Hypersensitization, or "wind up" occurs in response to a painful stimulus and makes the resulting pain more difficult to control. This can lead to a painful response that is heightened over what is expected from the stimulus.or even to a painful response to a normally innocuous stimulus. Preempting pain will decrease the overall intensity of the pain sensation and will increase the effectiveness of analgesic drugs. The dose and frequency of analgesic drugs required to control pain that was preempted is minimal compared to the dose and frequency required to control pain that was allowed to develop unchecked. Because animals hide pain for as long as they possibly can, we can be certain that, once an animal is exhibiting pain, the 9 hypersensitization process has begun and pain will be more difficult to treat. Thus, our primary goal 7 0 should be to prevent pain rather than to treat pain. ",, "From the recent research concerning the mechanisms of nociception, it is clear that it is better to prevent pain than to treat it. This is a somewhat novel idea when applied to treating pain, but the idea of prevention is clearly entrenched in other medical disciplines. Many animals are vaccinated to prevent them from suffering the pain related to particular disease even though the prevalence of many of these diseases is low. We know that every surgical procedure causes some pain to the patient and that some procedures are more painful than others. With the idea of prevention in mind, we must first do everything 10 possible to reduce the factors that potentiate pain perception. " Dr. Peter Pascoe Along with preemptive analgesia, multimodal analgesia should be considered since analgesia is generally 8 best provided by using a combination of analgesic drugs and / or analgesic techniques. This practice capitalizes on the additive or synergistic effects of analgesic drugs and allows us to provide analgesia that is more intense and of longer duration than analgesia provided with anyone drug used alone. By utilizing drugs from different classes in combination, we can 'attack' pain at different sites in the pain pathway. For example, the use of an NSAID with an opioid typically provides greater analgesia than either an NSAID or opioid alone. Similarly, an alpha-2 agonist and an opioid administered concurrently provide analgesia of significantly greater duration than either drug administered alone. To achieve the best analgesia, multimodal therapy should be utilized preemptively and continued throughout the painful episode. Finally, pain must be addressed even after the patient has been discharged from the hospital. Many veterinarians feel that animals do not need analgesic drugs once they have left the hospital because the patients tend not to exhibit pain at home. However, as previously stated, we know that animals instinctively hide pain and that pain, even from elective procedures, does not just magically go away once the animal is no longerin the hospital. Instead, the pain dissipates gradually over a period of days to weeks (depending on the severity of the disease, injury or surgery) and the pain that the animal experiences in that time should be addressed. Even if the animal appears 'okay', as scientists we know that we severed nerves, caused tissue trauma, and induced inflammation and that these sources of pain will undoubtedly cause some discomfort that only we can address. Summary Whether or not cats demonstrate pain in a way that we can recognize, we can be assured that they do indeed feel pain and we should be more diligent at anticipating pain rather than treating pain. Low dosages of analgesics can be used for the diagnostic assessment of pain. References L Hansen B, Hardie W. Prescription and use of analgesics in dogs and cats in a veterinary teaching hospital: 258 cases (1983-1989). J Am Vet Med Assoc 1993;202:1485-1494. . 2. Lascelles BDX, Capner CA, Waterman-Pearson AE. Current British veterinary attitudes to perioperative analgesia for cats and small mammals. Vet Rec 1999;145:601-604. 3. Essential Tools for Pain Management, Pfizer Animal Health, 2004. 4. Hansen Bernie Hansen, Analgesic Therapy, The Compendium; JUly1994:868-875. 5. Davis LE. Species differences in drug disposition as factors in alleviation of pain. In: Kitchell RL, Erickson HH, eds. Animal pain perception and alleviation. Bethesda, MD: American Physiological Society; 1983,pp. 161-78. 6. Mathews KA. Pain assessment and general approach to management. Vet Clin NA 2000:30;729-755. 7. Wright BD. Clinical pain management techniques for cats. Clin Tech Small Ani Pract 2002;17:151-157. 8. Lamont LA. Feline perioperative pain management. Vet Clin Small Ani Pract 2002;32:747-763. 9. Hellyer PW. Minimizing Postoperative discomfort in dogs and cats. Vet Med 1999;94:259-265. 10. Pascoe PJ. Perioperative pain management. Vet Clin NA 2000:30;917-932.

Speaker Information (click the speaker's name to view other papers and abstracts submitted by this speaker)

Tamara L. Grubb, DVM, MS, DACVA Pain Management Pfizer Animal Health Uniontown, WA, USA

Laurie J. Gage, D.v.M. USDA APHIS Large Cat Specialist (b)(6) Barbara A Kohn/MD/APHIS/USDA cc Chester A Gipson/MD/APHIS/USDA@USDA, Allan T 01/11/200702:34 PM Hogue/MD/APHIS/USDA@USDA, Laurie J Gage/CAlAPHIS/USDA@USDA bcc Subject Re: AWA declawing notice questionsll (b)(6)

I have been advised by my supervisor that the response to your questions regarding the Animal Care policy on declawing of carnivores and defanging of carnivores and nonhuman primates should come directly from the office of the Deputy Administrator for Animal Care. Please direct all future inquiries to Dr. Gipson. I apologize for any inconvenience at this time.

Sincerely,

Barbara Kohn Animal Care